The earthquake struck Bangladesh with a magnitude of 5.5, resulting in at least five confirmed fatalities and over 450 injuries. The epicenter was in the vicinity of the Narsingdi district, approximately 30 kilometers from Dhaka, the capital city.
Eyewitnesses reported chaotic scenes as individuals rushed to evacuate their homes and workplace settings, resulting in a stampede at Dhaka University where at least ten students were harmed. Local environmental adviser, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, noted, 'We have never experienced an earthquake this powerful in the last five years.'
In addition to the quake-related deaths, several people were injured when debris fell from buildings in densely populated areas such as Armanitola in Dhaka. Reports indicate that three fatalities occurred when a railing collapsed off a five-storey building.
Assessments revealed that 461 individuals sought medical attention across various regions, with the Gazipur district reporting a significant number of injuries. Nitai Chandra De Sarkar, a monitoring division official, emphasized the current efforts are focused on evaluating casualties and structural damage.
Residents shared their shocking experiences, with one stating that it was the most intense tremor felt in three decades. Another individual recounted the sudden quake while they were asleep, expressing disbelief at the building's violent shaking.
The tremors were also felt across eastern Indian states neighboring Bangladesh, although no major damage has been noted in those areas. Interestingly, the earthquake paused a cricket test match between Ireland and Bangladesh, as players and spectators sought shelter during the brief disruption.
Crisis management and rescue operations remain a priority as Bangladesh navigates this tragic earthquake aftermath.
