A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck near Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka, causing at least five deaths, over 100 injuries, and widespread panic among residents.
The tremor, which occurred on November 21, 2025, lasted approximately 26 seconds. It prompted people to rush out of buildings in Dhaka and surrounding provinces.
Bangladeshi government officials reported the initial death toll of at least five people and approximately 100 injured. Local media outlets, however, indicated a potentially higher number of fatalities, though these figures remain unconfirmed.
The U.S. Geological Survey identified the earthquake’s epicenter in the Madhabdi district of Narsingdi city, located about 33 kilometers (20 miles) northeast of Dhaka. Narsingdi is known for its textile and clothing industries.
Buildings in Narsingdi sustained damage from the strong shaking. Officials are currently assessing the full extent of the destruction.
Tremors from the quake were felt as far away as Kolkata, India, more than 325 kilometers (200 miles) from the epicenter. No casualties or injuries were reported in India.
Bangladesh is situated near the confluence of the Indian, Eurasian, and Burmese tectonic plates. This geological position makes the country vulnerable to severe seismic activity, despite earthquakes being relatively infrequent.
This incident marks one of the most intense earthquakes near Dhaka in recent years to result in fatalities. Previous strong quakes, such as a magnitude 5.8 near Sylhet in 2023 and a magnitude 6.1 near the India-Myanmar border in 2021, caused no reported deaths.
Many residents remain vigilant for potential aftershocks following the powerful tremor.