A powerful earthquake struck Bangladesh yesterday outside the crowded capital, Dhaka, killing at least five people and injuring about a hundred, the government said.
The magnitude 5.5 quake struck at 10:38am near Narsingdi, Bangladesh, about 33km from Dhaka, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.
The earthquake sparked fear and chaos with many in the Muslim-majority nation of 170 million people at home on their day off.
Photo: Reuters
AFP reporters in Dhaka said they saw people weeping in the streets while others appeared shocked.
Bangladesh Interim Leader Muhammad Yunus expressed his “deep shock and sorrow over the news of casualties in various districts.”
At least five people, including a child, had been killed and about 100 people were injured, including university students and factory workers, he said in a statement.
Nine people were taken to hospitals in Dhaka with serious injuries, Bangladesh’s health department said.
An eyewitness said that masonry from an eight-story building in a Dhaka district had fallen onto a busy road below.
“Many people had gathered at the butcher” when the rubble fell, said Sakib Hossain, 50, who rushed out after hearing a loud bang. “I saw vans carrying injured people,” he added.
The USGS warned of potentially “significant casualties” and damage.
Yunus said the government was taking “all necessary measures” and that emergency services were “responding swiftly to the reports of damages” from across the country.
The shaking lasted for 26 seconds, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department said, adding that it recorded the magnitude as 5.7.
“The situation is being closely monitored, and all relevant departments have been directed to immediately go to the field to assess any possible damages,” Yunus said.
Strong tremors were felt as far as in Kolkata, India, more than 325km away from the epicenter.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage in India.
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