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Powerful Earthquake Near Dhaka Kills at Least Nine, Injures Hundreds

A strong earthquake struck near Narsingdi, about 33 km (16 miles) from Dhaka, at 10:38am local time, killing at least nine people and injuring more than 300. Authorities reported damage to at least 14 buildings and a brief fire at a power station that was later contained. The shaking lasted about 26 seconds and was recorded between magnitude 5.5 (USGS) and 5.7 (Bangladesh Meteorological Department). Interim leader Muhammad Yunus ordered immediate field assessments while rescue teams treated the seriously injured in Dhaka hospitals. The tremors were felt as far away as Kolkata, India.

03:02 AM, 11/22/2025Society
Powerful Earthquake Near Dhaka Kills at Least Nine, Injures Hundreds

A strong earthquake struck just outside Bangladesh's capital Dhaka on Friday, killing at least nine people and injuring more than 300, officials said.

The US Geological Survey recorded the tremor as magnitude 5.5 at 10:38am local time (0438 GMT), near the city of Narsingdi, about 33 kilometres (16 miles) from Dhaka. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department recorded a slightly higher magnitude of 5.7 and said the shaking lasted roughly 26 seconds.

The quake sparked panic across the densely populated, Muslim-majority country of about 170 million people, many of whom were at home on their weekly day off. Streets in Dhaka were filled with distressed residents, and emergency services responded quickly to reports of collapsed masonry and injured civilians.

Authorities reported damage to at least 14 buildings. Masonry from an eight-storey building reportedly fell onto a busy road in Dhaka, where people had been queuing at a butcher's shop. “Many people had gathered at the butcher,” said Sakib Hossain, 50, who rushed out after hearing a loud bang. “I saw vans carrying injured people.”

Another witness, Mohammad Sharif, said debris fell from above while he queued to buy meat: “A child suffered a serious neck injury and died immediately,” he said. The government's health department said nine people with serious injuries were taken to hospitals in Dhaka for treatment.

A fire briefly broke out at a power station but was later brought under control. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus, the 85-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate appointed after last year’s uprising, said he was in “deep shock and sorrow” over the casualties and ordered all relevant departments to carry out immediate field assessments. National elections are scheduled for February 2026.

The tremors were felt as far away as Kolkata in India, more than 325 kilometres (about 200 miles) from the epicentre. People in Kolkata reported fleeing offices and homes, though there were no immediate reports of major damage or casualties across the border.

Rescue and medical teams remain on alert as officials continue damage assessments and relief efforts. Authorities urged residents to stay cautious of aftershocks and to follow instructions from emergency services.

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