A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck Bangladesh on Friday, killing at least three people and injuring over 50, authorities reported. The tremor also shook parts of eastern India, prompting residents to evacuate buildings and offices. Despite the strong shaking, no major damage or casualties were reported in India.
According to the German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ), the earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, making the tremors widely felt across the region. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department confirmed the quake hit at 10:38am local time, with its epicenter 13 kilometers east of the Agargaon Seismic Center in Dhaka.
Residents in Dhaka described buildings swaying, ceiling fans moving, and sudden jolts that forced them outdoors. Some makeshift structures collapsed, but no major buildings were damaged. Fire service officials confirmed that they had not received any significant reports of structural damage.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the earthquake originated 13 kilometers south-southwest of Narsingdi. Tremors were felt across several Indian states, including West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. In Kolkata, office employees evacuated buildings, avoiding elevators as a safety precaution. Social media was flooded with videos of people gathering outside homes and workplaces during the tremors.
Bangladesh lies in an active seismic zone and frequently experiences mild to moderate tremors. Friday’s earthquake highlights the region’s vulnerability to seismic activity and the need for preparedness. Authorities in both Bangladesh and India continue to monitor the situation and advise residents to stay alert for possible aftershocks.
The government urged people to remain calm and follow safety protocols, including moving to open areas and avoiding tall or weak structures. While no additional injuries have been reported since the initial tremor, emergency teams remain on high alert in affected areas.
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This latest earthquake serves as a reminder of the risks faced by populations living in active seismic zones in South Asia.
