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5.5-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Near Dhaka: At Least Five Dead, Widespread Damage Reported

What happened: A 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck near Dhaka at 10:38am local time, shaking the area for about 26 seconds. Casualties: Officials report at least five dead and roughly 100 injured, while some local accounts cite higher figures that remain unconfirmed. Impact: Buildings in Dhaka and Narsingdi were damaged; tremors were felt as far away as Kolkata. Authorities continue damage assessments and warn of aftershocks.

08:16 PM, 11/21/2025Environment
5.5-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Near Dhaka: At Least Five Dead, Widespread Damage Reported

A strong earthquake of magnitude 5.5 struck near Bangladesh's capital at 10:38am local time (04:38 GMT). The tremor lasted about 26 seconds and caused damage to numerous buildings in Dhaka and nearby Narsingdi, officials said.

Eyewitness account

Local resident Shadman Sakif Islam described the shaking: “I first saw small ripples in my coffee, then a massive shake began without warning. My chair and table rocked wildly — I was stuck for 10–15 seconds and couldn't process what was happening. I felt like riding massive waves one after another.”

Location and reach

Authorities say the epicenter was in the Madhabdi area of Narsingdi district, roughly 33 km (about 16 miles) from central Dhaka. The tremor was felt across the region and as far away as Kolkata in neighboring India, approximately 325 km (about 200 miles) from the epicenter; no casualties there have been reported.

Casualties and reports

Government figures report at least five people killed and around 100 injured. Local reports have suggested higher casualty numbers in some areas, but those figures remain unverified. Some accounts describe building collapses and pedestrians struck by falling debris or railings.

Damage and local impact

Narsingdi — an area known for its textile and garment industries — and parts of Dhaka sustained structural damage, including cracked walls and collapsed sections in some buildings. Emergency responders and local authorities are assessing damage and assisting affected residents.

Seismic context

Bangladesh lies near the boundaries of the Indian, Eurasian and Burmese tectonic plates, making it seismically vulnerable, though strong earthquakes are relatively infrequent. In 2023, a magnitude-5.8 quake struck near Sylhet without major reported damage; in 2021, a 6.1-magnitude event on the India–Myanmar border sent tremors into southeastern Bangladesh.

Seismologists note that earthquake magnitudes are measured on a logarithmic scale: each whole-number increase represents a roughly tenfold increase in measured ground motion and about 31.6 times more energy release.

What to do now

Authorities urge residents to avoid damaged buildings, watch for aftershocks, check on neighbors—especially the elderly and injured—and follow official instructions from local emergency services. Stay tuned to verified official channels for updates and safety advisories.

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