Nitor treats over 80 injured after earthquake jolts Dhaka

The National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (Nitor) reported a sharp rise in patients following this morning's earthquake, with 66 people receiving treatment and 15 others being admitted by mid-afternoon.

The information came at a briefing by Nitor Director Prof Abul Kenan at 3:15pm today (21 November), where he also said that the injured had arrived steadily since the tremor struck earlier in the morning.

However, doctors and nurses at the emergency department said the rush intensified shortly after the briefing.

By 4:15pm, nearly one hundred injured people had been treated for fractures, cuts and fall-related injuries linked to the quake, according to Nitor officials.

Among them was Sakib, 14, from the Nabinagar Shapur area. He fell on the road when the ground shook and broke his leg. His family brought him to Nitor for emergency care.

The earthquake, measured at 5.7 magnitude by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, struck at 10:38am with its epicentre in Madhabdi, Narsingdi. The tremor rattled buildings across Dhaka and surrounding districts, sending residents fleeing into the streets and prompting a series of emergency calls.

Reports of minor structural damage came from several areas, including Badda, Kalabagan and Sutrapur, where some buildings briefly appeared tilted. Cracks also developed in parts of Jahangirnagar University, though university authorities confirmed no injuries.

Fire service units responded to multiple alerts of collapsed or leaning buildings. Although most turned out to be false alarms triggered by panic. In a few places, loose plaster, bricks, and railings fell from structures, causing minor injuries or death.