Earthquake claims 5 lives in Narsingdi, injures over 100
The 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck Bangladesh this morning at 10:38am, with its epicentre in Madhabdi, Narsingdi, about 13km east of Dhaka's Agargaon seismic centre, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).
At least five people died and more than 100 were injured in Narsingdi during a magnitude 5.7 earthquake that rattled the country today (21 November).
The deceased were identified as Hafez Omar, 8; Delowar Hossain Ujjal, 37; Kaziem Ali Bhuiyan, 75; Nasir Uddin, 60; and Forkan, 40.
According to a press release issued by the Narsingdi district administration, at Chinishpur union's Gabtali area in Narsingdi Sadar upazila, construction materials fell from an under-construction building during the tremor, leaving four people injured. Two of them — Omar and his father, Delowar — were critically injured and taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
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Doctors at DMCH later declared 8-year-old Omar dead. His father was declared dead soon after, Prothom Alo reported, citing family members.
In Palash upazila's Malita Pashchimpara village under Char Sindur union, Kaziem Ali Bhuiyan was crushed under the debris of his earthen house and died on the way to the district hospital, said the district administration.
In the same upazila, Nasir Uddin of Islampara Nayapara village in Danga union died after he panicked during the quake while working in agricultural fields. Quoting locals, the district administration said he fell from a road embankment while running for safety.
Meanwhile, in Shibpur upazila, Forkan of Gajkitla (Purbapara) village fell from a tree during the tremor. He was taken to Narsingdi District Hospital and later referred to Dhaka Medical College, but died on the way.
Damages
Regarding damages the district administration said that a fire broke out at the substation of the Ghorashal Power Plant following the earthquake, though firefighters brought it under control.
Several production transformers were also reported to have collapsed due to ground shaking.
The Ghorashal Palash Fertilizer Factory suspended urea production temporarily after the machinery shut down automatically due to excessive vibration. Technical teams are inspecting the equipment.
Cracks have appeared in more than a hundred buildings, including the deputy commissioner's office and the circuit house.
The district administration said it opened a control room to monitor disaster-related updates and coordinate emergency response efforts.
The 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck Bangladesh this morning at 10:38am, with its epicentre in Madhabdi, Narsingdi, about 13km east of Dhaka's Agargaon seismic centre, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).
Tremors were felt across Dhaka and several other districts, causing panic, structural damage and reports of buildings tilting or developing cracks.
