6-storey building in Ctg tilts further after 5yrs following 5.7 earthquake

A six-storey building in Chattogram's Monsurabad area, which had partially tilted during an earthquake five years ago, leaned further following today's (21 November) 5.7-magnitude tremor.

Fire Service and Civil Defence officials, along with police personnel, inspected the building, locally known as "Star Bhaban", this afternoon.

Babul Azad, officer-in-charge (OC) of Double Mooring Police Station, said, "The building has tilted further after the earthquake today. Locals alerted us, and we carried out an inspection. The matter has been reported to the Chattogram Development Authority [CDA]."

CDA Chief Engineer Kazi Hasan Bin Shams confirmed that the structure had already been declared risky. "Further action will be taken in line with regulations," he said.

According to locals, the building, owned by former Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Mohammad Manjur Alam, houses a diabetic care centre on the lower floors, while several families live on the upper floors. The structure is leaning slightly toward an adjacent building.

Residents said the building first showed signs of tilting around five years ago. Authorities were called in at the time, and the CDA recommended demolishing the top two floors, but the instruction was not implemented.

Former mayor Manzur Alam said, "The building has been inspected with the relevant authorities. Next steps will be taken following engineering advice."

Earlier in the morning, a powerful 5.7-magnitude earthquake jolted Bangladesh, damaging multiple buildings in Dhaka and other districts.

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), the quake struck at 10:38am, with its epicentre located in Madhabdi, Narsingdi, about 13km east of the seismic centre in Dhaka's Agargaon.

The earthquake also caused a building to tilt in the Badda Link Road area.