Strong Earthquake Strikes Bangladesh: 10 Dead, Over 600 Injured
A strong earthquake jolted Dhaka and several parts of Bangladesh on Friday morning, killing 10 people, including children, and injuring over 600. The highest number of fatalities occurred in Narsingdi, where five people lost their lives. Dhaka reported four deaths while Narayanganj saw one fatality. The quake, measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale, triggered widespread panic, with many residents fleeing buildings and streets amid fears of collapsing structures.
The deceased include Rafiul Islam, a 20-year-old second-year student at Sir Salimullah Medical College; businessman Abdur Rahim, 48, and his 12-year-old son Abdul Aziz Rimon; security guard Maksud, 50; and a 10-month-old child, Fatema, in Rupganj, Narayanganj. Narsingdi reported the deaths of 10-year-old Omar Faruk, his father Delwar Hossain, 40, Forkan Mia, 35, elderly Kazem Ali, 75, and Nasir Uddin, 65.
In Dhaka’s Kosaituli area, the railing of a five-storey building collapsed, killing Rafiul Islam and the Rahim family members who were shopping on the ground floor. Fire service teams worked to clear debris and search for anyone trapped. Many injured were rushed to hospitals by local residents using rickshaws and vans. The quake caused additional structural damage in several buildings, leaving cracks and leaning walls in its wake.
Eyewitnesses described intense shaking and falling objects, with people running into streets in fear. Authorities have urged caution as rescue and assessment operations continue. Hospitals reported treating hundreds of injured, including those with head injuries, fractures, and other trauma. Families of the deceased expressed grief and shock as communities began to reckon with the scale of the disaster.
The earthquake has sparked widespread fear, with many Dhaka residents staying outdoors and closely monitoring tall buildings. Emergency services are coordinating response efforts across affected districts, and further updates are expected as rescue operations continue.
