Bangladesh quake kills five, injures dozens
Residents stand in an alley after vacating their house next to a fallen scaffolding following an earthquake in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Nov 21, 2025. (Photo: Reuters/Mohammad Ponir Hossain)
DHAKA: A powerful earthquake struck Bangladesh on Friday (Nov 21) outside the crowded capital Dhaka, killing at least five people, health officials said.
The 5.5-magnitude quake struck at 10.38am (12.38pm, Singapore time) near the city of Narsingdi, about 33km from Dhaka, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).
The Friday morning earthquake sparked terror with many in the Muslim-majority nation of 170 million people at home on their day off.
City residents rushed out of their homes as buildings shook and some makeshift structures collapsed, Reuters witnesses said.
AFP reporters in Dhaka saw people weeping in the streets while others appeared shocked.
Interim leader Muhammad Yunus expressed his "deep shock and sorrow over the news of casualties in various districts".
At least five people, including a child, had been killed and around 100 people injured, including university students and factory workers, he said in a statement.
Nine people were taken to hospitals in Dhaka with serious injuries, according to the government's health department.
An eyewitness said masonry from an eight-story building in a Dhaka district had fallen onto a busy road below.
"Many people had gathered at the butcher when the rubble fell," said Sakib Hossain, 50, who rushed out after hearing a loud bang.
"I saw vans carrying injured people," he added.
"We felt a strong jolt and buildings were shaking like trees," said Suman Rahman, a Dhaka resident. "Staircases were jammed as people rushed down. Everyone was terrified, children were crying."
The fire department reported injuries after bricks and loose cement fell from buildings that were under construction.
"I have never felt such a tremor in my life. We were at the office when furniture started shaking. We rushed down the stairs on the street and saw other people on the road already," said Sadman Sakib, who works in a private firm in Dhaka.
The USGS warned of potentially "significant casualties" and damage.
Yunus said the government was taking "all necessary measures" and that emergency services were "responding swiftly to the reports of damages" from across the country, including in Dhaka.
"Everyone is urged to remain alert and not pay attention to any kind of rumours or misinformation," he said in a statement. "Further guidance will be provided through hotlines and official channels if necessary. We remain committed to ensuring the safety of all citizens."
The shaking lasted for 26 seconds with its epicentre in Narsingdi's Madhabdi district, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, which recorded the magnitude as 5.7.
"The situation is being closely monitored, and all relevant departments have been directed to immediately go to the field to assess any possible damages."
Yunus, an 85-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner, was selected after a mass uprising toppled the government in August 2024 to lead the country to elections slated for February 2026.
Strong tremors were felt as far as the Indian city of Kolkata, more than 325km away from the epicentre.
AFP reporters there saw people fleeing offices and homes after the sudden jolt.
"I felt tremors and my bed moved ... I rushed out of my room," said Sumit Dutta, 66.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage in India.
