Deadly 5.5-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Bangladesh: 9 Dead and Over 300 Injured Near Dhaka

A devastating 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck Bangladesh on Friday, resulting in at least nine fatalities and over 300 injuries. The powerful tremor caused significant damage to infrastructure across the region.

The earthquake hit near Narsingdi, approximately 33 kilometers from the capital city Dhaka, at 10:38 am local time according to the US Geological Survey. The seismic event triggered panic among residents, many of whom were at home during their day off in the predominantly Muslim nation of 170 million people.

Witnesses in Dhaka reported scenes of distress, with people crying in the streets while others appeared visibly shocked by the sudden disaster. The interim government's press office confirmed the casualty figures and reported damage to at least 14 buildings across affected areas.

Additionally, a fire erupted at a power station following the earthquake but was subsequently brought under control by emergency responders. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department, which measured the quake at magnitude 5.7, reported that the tremors lasted for 26 seconds.

Interim leader Muhammad Yunus expressed "deep shock and sorrow over the news of casualties in various districts" and assured citizens that his government was implementing "all necessary measures" in response to the disaster. Health department officials confirmed that nine individuals with serious injuries were transported to hospitals in Dhaka for treatment.

One eyewitness described how masonry from an eight-story building in Dhaka collapsed onto a busy road below. "Many people had gathered at the butcher" when the debris fell, reported Sakib Hossain, who rushed to the scene after hearing a loud noise. "I saw vans carrying injured people," he added.

Another witness, Mohammad Sharif, who was waiting in line to purchase meat, recounted that falling debris struck people standing ahead of him in the queue. "A child suffered a serious injury on his neck and died immediately," he told reporters.

The 85-year-old Nobel Peace Prize recipient Yunus, who assumed leadership of Bangladesh following a mass uprising that overthrew the previous government last year, stated: "The situation is being closely monitored, and all relevant departments have been directed to immediately go to the field to assess any possible damages." Elections are scheduled to take place in February 2026.

The earthquake's impact extended beyond Bangladesh's borders, with tremors felt as far away as Kolkata, India—more than 325 kilometers from the epicenter. Residents there evacuated buildings after experiencing the sudden jolt, though no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage emerged from India.