A powerful earthquake felt across Dhaka and various parts of the country on Friday (21 November) has so far claimed six lives. Three deaths were reported in Dhaka, one in Narayanganj and two in Narsingdi. Many others were injured in different locations, and several buildings and structures developed cracks.
The earthquake, recorded at 10:38:26 am, measured 5.5 on the Richter scale. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the magnitude was 5.5, with the epicentre located in Narsingdi. The quake originated at a depth of only 10 kilometres.
Apart from Dhaka, the tremor was felt in Gopalganj, Narail, Rangpur, Satkhira, Jashore, Cumilla, Rajshahi, Kurigram, Sylhet, Feni, Madaripur, Jhalokathi, Dinajpur and several other districts. NDTV reported that the impact of the quake was felt in parts of India as well.
Three killed as railing collapses in Dhaka
In Dhaka’s Bangshal area, three pedestrians were killed when the railing of a five-storey building collapsed. The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Bangshal Police Station said the incident occurred around 11:15 am. Video footage showed injured pedestrians lying on the road, bleeding, while locals rushed to rescue them.
Several buildings in different parts of Dhaka swayed, walls cracked, and frightened residents ran out of their homes.
Child dies after wall collapses in Narayanganj
In Rupganj, Narayanganj, a one-year-old girl named Fatema died when the wall of a tin-roofed house collapsed during the quake. Her mother, Kulsum Begum, and neighbour Jesmin Begum were injured. Fatema was the daughter of Abdul Haq from Islamabagh under the Golakandail Union.
Confirming the incident, Rupganj Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge (OC) Tarikul Islam said that police visited the scene and verified the identities of the deceased and injured. When the quake began, Kulsum Begum was heading to Bhulta Gausia with her daughter when the wall of the adjacent tin-shed house collapsed on them. Locals rescued them and took them to hospital.
Two killed as sunshade collapses in Narsingdi
In Gabtali of Narsingdi Sadar, a child named Omar (10) and a 75-year-old man were killed when a house’s sunshade collapsed during the quake. Omar’s father, Delwar Hossain Ujjal, sustained serious injuries and is undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Omar’s uncle Zakir Hossain said Delwar was trying to escape with his three children when the sunshade fell on them.
The injured were taken to Narsingdi Sadar Hospital. Later, Omar and his father were shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where Omar was pronounced dead. Omar’s two sisters are being treated at Narsingdi Sadar Hospital. The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Dhaka Medical College Hospital Police Camp, Md Faruk, said the child was declared dead upon arrival, while the father remains in critical condition.
Meanwhile, in Malita village of Palash upazila, Narsingdi, a 75-year-old man died when a mud house wall collapsed during the earthquake.
SS