DAKHA/DEHLI: At least three people were killed and more than 50 injured after a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck Bangladesh on Friday, police said.
The quake also rattled parts of eastern India, prompting residents to rush out of homes and offices. Despite the tremors, authorities in both countries reported no major damage.
The German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) said the earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 10km, making it widely felt. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department confirmed the tremor struck at 10:38 a.m. local time, with its epicenter 13km east of the Agargaon Seismic Center in Dhaka.
Residents across Dhaka reported buildings shaking, fans swaying, and sudden jolts that sent people outdoors. Some makeshift structures reportedly collapsed. Fire service officials said no major structural damage was reported.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the quake originated 13km south-southwest of Narsingdi. Tremors were felt across Kolkata, Salt Lake IT sector, Dakshin and Uttar Dinajpur, Cooch Behar, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, and Assam’s Guwahati.
In Kolkata, office employees evacuated buildings, avoiding elevators as authorities advised caution. Social media was flooded with videos of panicked residents gathering outside homes and workplaces. No major damage was reported in India.
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Bangladesh sits in an active seismic zone and frequently experiences mild to moderate earthquakes. Friday’s quake highlighted the region’s ongoing vulnerability. Authorities in both countries continue to monitor the situation.
