An intense earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale jolted Bangladesh early Friday, claiming the lives of at least six people. The seismic event occurred near Narsingdi, with the epicenter precisely located approximately 14 kilometers west-southwest of the town, according to initial reports from the United States Geological Survey. The quake struck at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, at 04:38:26 UTC, which translated to 10:08:26 AM in Indian time.
Residents in surrounding areas also felt significant tremors, and many in the capital city of Dhaka rushed into the streets in panic. Social media platforms were flooded with videos depicting people observing a noticeably tilted building. The seismic activity was so powerful that its effects were felt across the border in parts of India, including West Bengal and Assam.
Authorities are currently undertaking a comprehensive assessment to determine the full extent of damages and the potential for aftershocks. While casualties are feared to rise, precise details are still being gathered.
Bangladesh’s vulnerability to earthquakes stems from its location on a volatile junction of three major tectonic plates: the Indian, Eurasian, and Burma plates. The ongoing convergence of these plates, coupled with proximity to numerous fault lines like the Bogura and Tripura faults, places the nation in highly earthquake-prone zones. Major cities, including Dhaka, which is densely populated, are recognized as being at significant risk.