A moderate earthquake struck Bangladesh on Friday morning, causing a building collapse in a crowded market district of Old Dhaka that killed at least three people and left one seriously injured.
The incident occurred in the Ghasaituli area, a bustling section of Old Dhaka’s Armanitola neighborhood. A balcony railing and debris from a five-story building fell onto the street below.
One of the deceased was identified as Rafiulislam, a medical student from Sir Salimullah Medical College. Rafiulislam was shopping for meat with his mother when the earthquake hit, causing an adjacent building’s structure to give way.
He suffered severe head and facial injuries and was pronounced dead at a local hospital. His mother underwent emergency surgery for her injuries.
A Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police confirmed the three fatalities, stating fire and civil defense teams reported the deaths after debris from a five-story building collapsed.
Bangladesh’s Meteorological Department reported the quake had a magnitude of 5.7. Its epicenter was near Madhabdi town in Narsingdi district, approximately 13 kilometers east of Dhaka’s Agargaon area.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) measured the tremor at magnitude 5.5, placing its epicenter 14 kilometers southwest of Narsingdi district. The quake struck at 10:38 AM local time (UTC+6).
Imran Hossain, a local resident, reported that a mobile phone tower on the roof of one building collapsed onto another. This dislodged the railing and debris, which then fell onto the street.
The Ghasaituli area is particularly crowded on Fridays due to special promotions at local meat shops.
Ashish Kumar Ghosh, an official at Banshal Police Station, stated that authorities are investigating the site. He added that the bodies had been sent to the hospital, but the identities of the other victims were not yet confirmed.
Residents across Dhaka reported feeling the ground shake for several seconds, causing widespread panic. Many people rushed out of their homes.
Minor cracks were reported in several buildings throughout different parts of the city following the seismic event.