INTERNATIONAL: Dhaka’s Wake-Up Shake: 5.7 Quake Claims 10 Lives
A powerful 5.7-magnitude earthquake rattled central Bangladesh on Friday morning, striking just outside the bustling capital of Dhaka.
The shallow tremor, centered near Narsingdi, unleashed chaos in densely packed neighborhoods, claiming at least 10 lives and wounding hundreds more.
As residents recount the sudden jolt, questions swirl about the nation’s readiness for such seismic surprises.
The quake hit at 10:38 a.m. local time, its epicenter pinpointed 13 kilometers southwest of Narsingdi at a mere 10-kilometer depth.
This proximity amplified the shaking, sending ripples through Dhaka and beyond, where everyday routines shattered in seconds.
Toll of the Tremor
Victims included a newborn crushed by a collapsing wall in Narayanganj, alongside pedestrians struck by falling railings in Dhaka’s crowded streets.
In Narsingdi, five perished amid crumbling structures, while four more lost their lives in the capital from roof failures and building damage.
Injuries topped 300 across districts, with critical cases overwhelming hospitals in Narsingdi and Gazipur.
Over 200 garment factory workers in Gazipur suffered in a chaotic stampede, trapped briefly by locked exits that fueled their desperate rush outdoors.
Dhaka University saw students leap from dorm windows in panic, adding to the tally of fractures and bruises.
Fires sparked in scattered spots, likely from toppled stoves or electrical shorts, though quick response teams contained most blazes.
Echoes Across Borders
Tremors rippled into India’s West Bengal and Assam, stirring fear in Kolkata and Guwahati.
In Kolkata, office-goers and families bolted from homes as desks wobbled and cups clattered, echoing the dread felt just across the frontier.
Northeastern West Bengal neighborhoods reported light swaying, prompting evacuations from high-rises.
Guwahati residents, no strangers to quakes, still fled in droves, their streets alive with urgent whispers of safety.
The National Centre for Seismology noted the event’s reach, underscoring how plate boundaries near the Indian and Eurasian edges keep the region on edge.
Structural Warnings Exposed
Many homes and older buildings bore cracks, with one structure in Dhaka’s Badda area tilting precariously.
Minor damages dotted Narsingdi and Dhaka suburbs, hinting at deeper vulnerabilities in a city of unchecked high-rises and soft soil prone to liquefaction.
Experts call this a stark alert: a moderate shake exposed gaps in construction standards and emergency drills.
With no major quake this close to Dhaka in living memory, it spotlights the urgent need for retrofits and awareness in one of South Asia’s most crowded urban hubs.
As aftershocks fade, communities rebuild amid grief, but the ground’s rumble lingers as a reminder that nature’s force demands respect and preparation.