At least 5 injured after jumping from DU halls during earthquake

At least five students of Dhaka University were seriously injured after jumping from different dormitory buildings in panic during an earthquake.

In total, reports indicate that at least 10 students across the university have been injured, several of whom have been admitted to hospitals.

The earthquake struck at 10:38am on Friday. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, it measured 5.7 on the Richter scale, with the epicentre in Madhabdi, Narsingdi.

A student named Tanzir Hossain was severely injured after jumping from the fourth floor of Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall. The university's proctor, Saifuddin Ahmed, said three other students from the same hall were also injured after jumping.

Meanwhile, a student of Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall suffered a broken leg after jumping.

Several buildings of Dhaka University sustained plaster damage due to the earthquake.

Helal Uddin, a student of Mohsin Hall, described the incident on Facebook, writing that he had been lying down when the earthquake started. As it continued for a long time, he felt paralysed with fear. Disoriented, he ran to the rooftop and saw several students jumping from the third and fourth floors and getting injured. Some were taken to hospital by ambulance.

In a Facebook post, Ducsu Vice-President Abu Shadik Kayem wrote, "We have repeatedly demanded that the university administration repair various risky residential and academic buildings, including different halls. Plaster has fallen from the roofs of many buildings. Cracks have appeared in several walls. Due to the administration's negligence and slow progress in ensuring safe housing, the lives of Dhaka University students have become severely threatened during natural disasters."

He added, "We do not want to witness another 'October tragedy'. We do not want a repeat of roof collapses. The university must urgently repair residential and academic buildings and construct new ones."