Earthquake shakes Dhaka, at least 4 dead and numerous injured

A 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck the area around the capital of Bangladesh this morning. The victims were hit by falling debris from buildings as they walked along the street. Panic and injuries were also reported in textile factories and university buildings. Bishops' Conference: no damage to churches. Experts warn: ‘The country is in a seismic zone, building safety codes must be enforced’.

Dhaka (AsiaNews) - A strong earthquake struck Bangladesh this morning, causing panic across the country and leaving at least four dead and many injured. The quake, measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale, was felt at 10.38 a.m. in Dhaka and other districts. According to the United States Geological Survey, the epicentre was located near Madhavadi, in the district of Narsingdi, about 14 kilometres from the capital.

Authorities confirmed that three pedestrians were killed in the Bangshal area of Dhaka when the parapet of a five-storey building collapsed on KP Ghosh Street. ‘They were walking down the street when the bricks fell on their heads,’ said Officer Ashish Kumar of the Bangshal police station.

The bodies of the victims were taken to Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital. One was a child, another a medical student named Rafiul, while the third person has not yet been identified.

In Rupganj, Narayanganj, a one-year-old girl named Fatema died after a wall along the road collapsed during the earthquake. Her mother, Kulsum Begum, and a neighbour were injured and admitted to a local hospital. Witnesses said the two women were on their way to Bhulta Gausia when the wall collapsed.

The earthquake caused chaos in factories and universities. At least 200 textile workers were injured in the BSCIC area of Tongi when panic triggered a stampede at Fashion Pulse Limited. Workers attempted to escape, but the emergency gate was locked, causing falls and fractures. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals, including Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master General Hospital.

There were also casualties at Dhaka University. Four students from the Muhsin Hall, Kabi Jasim Uddin Hall and Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall dormitories were injured after jumping out of windows in fear. One is in critical condition at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Several buildings on campus developed cracks and debris fell from ceilings, although no serious structural damage was reported.

In other parts of the capital, bricks and plaster fell from old buildings. In Kasai Tuli, an eight-storey building partially collapsed, prompting the Sadarghat and Siddiqbazar fire brigades to intervene. Another building in Swamibag leaned dangerously against a nearby structure.

In Khilgaon, a man was injured when bricks fell from a construction site. A fire broke out in Block-F of Baridhara shortly after the earthquake, although it is unclear whether it was related to the tremor.

P. Tushar James Gomes, assistant secretary general of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Bangladesh, told AsiaNews that Christian communities had not suffered any damage. ‘Our buildings comply with safety codes and we have not received any reports,’ he said.

Experts warn that today's tremor is a wake-up call. ‘Bangladesh is located in a seismic zone. If a magnitude 6 earthquake were to strike, destruction would be inevitable,’ said Mehedi Ahmed Ansari, professor of civil engineering at BUET. He urged authorities to enforce building codes and prepare for future disasters.

The tremor, described as one of the strongest in recent years, lasted only a few seconds but caused widespread fear. Thousands of people ran out of their homes and offices, crowding the streets for fear of further aftershocks. Emergency services remain on high alert as assessments continue.