A moderate earthquake shook Dhaka and several parts of Bangladesh this morning, sending residents fleeing outdoors as buildings swayed across the capital.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported the 5.7-magnitude tremor at 10:10am, with its epicentre in Madhabdi, Narsingdi. The US Geological Survey (USGS) recorded it slightly lower at 5.5, locating the epicentre about 14 km west-southwest of Narsingdi.
The quake lasted only a few seconds but caused widespread panic. Many residents rushed out of homes and offices; factories in Gazipur saw chaotic evacuations, leaving around 100 workers injured in Tongi and Sreepur.
In Old Dhaka’s Koshaituli area, the railing of a five-storey building collapsed during the quake, killing three pedestrians and injuring several others. At least 20 injured were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
In Narayanganj’s Rupganj, a 10-month-old girl was killed when a wall collapsed amid the shaking.
Reports of minor structural cracks have emerged from several Dhaka neighbourhoods, though no major damage has been officially confirmed.
Authorities are assessing the full extent of the impact as aftershocks remain a concern.