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A powerful earthquake hit just outside Bangladesh’s densely populated capital, Dhaka, on Friday, resulting in at least nine fatalities and over 300 injuries. The tremor registered at magnitude 5.5 and struck around 10:38 a.m. local time, near Narsingdi, roughly 20 miles from Dhaka, according to the US Geological Survey. The quake caused widespread panic and chaos as many residents, many of whom were at home on their day off, fled their houses.
In the aftermath, at least 14 structures were damaged, and fires broke out at a power station but were quickly contained. The interim government’s spokesperson expressed deep sorrow over the casualties and assured that all necessary measures were underway. The health authorities reported that nine individuals in Dhaka were admitted with serious injuries, including a child who died instantly after debris fell from an eight-story building onto a busy street where people had gathered.
Witnesses described masonry from the collapsing building littering the streets, with reports of wreckage falling on pedestrians and vehicles. The seismic activity lasted about 26 seconds, and authorities are closely monitoring the situation and assessing damages.
The earthquake’s effects extended beyond Bangladesh, with tremors also being felt in Kolkata, India, over 200 miles away from the epicenter. People in Kolkata rushed out of their homes and offices in response to the shaking, though no significant injuries or damages were reported there.
Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, commented on the incident, expressing his shock and stating that the government is actively responding. Yunus, 85, was chosen to lead the country following last year’s uprising that ousted the previous government, with national elections scheduled for February 2026.
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