Bangladesh: A moderate earthquake rattled parts of Bangladesh and eastern India on Friday morning, just hours after two tremors struck Pakistan and Afghanistan, triggering fresh concerns across the region.
A resident of Bashundhara Residential Area in Dhaka described the earthquake as very powerful and serious, comparing it to another strong tremor that struck after 2010.
The quake, felt strongly in Dhaka and surrounding districts, sent panicked residents rushing out of buildings as shaking lasted several seconds.
Moderate earthquake sent shockwaves across Dhaka and many parts of the country, prompting residents in multistorey buildings to rush outdoors in fear. The tremor was felt at 10:38am, lasting several seconds, but strong enough to cause widespread alarm.
According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the quake measured 5.7 magnitude, with the epicentre located in Madhabdi of Narsingdi.
The US Geological Survey (USGS), however, recorded the intensity slightly lower at 5.5, confirming the epicentre was near Narsingdi.
Reports of shaking came in from Chandpur, Jhenaidah, Nilphamari, Sitakunda, Sirajganj, Narayanganj, Patuakhali, Bogura, Barishal, and Moulvibazar, indicating that the tremor was felt over a wide region.
In Dhaka, neighbourhoods experienced mild to strong shaking, causing many people to rush to the streets.
Wajir Hossain, a security guard in Bashundhara Residential Area, said the buildings shook noticeably, triggering panic among residents. “People from the high-rise buildings came out and waited for a long time, fearing another shock,” he recounted.
From Jhenaidah’s Shailkupa upazila, Nazma Begum described a similar experience: “The tremor was powerful. Many people left their houses and stayed outside until they felt safe.”
The quake was also felt across the border. Media in India, including The Telegraph, reported tremors in Kolkata and surrounding areas of West Bengal around the same time. Social media users from Kolkata described fans, sofas, and fixtures shaking for several seconds. Many said the jolt was brief but intense enough to create panic.
One resident of Salt Lake’s Sector 3 said that household items shook noticeably for several seconds. On social media, reactions ranged from concern to alarm, with users describing the experience as “small quake but big panic” and “unusually long”.
Despite the widespread tremors felt in both countries, no reports of casualties or major damage have emerged so far.
Authorities in Bangladesh continue to monitor the situation, though experts say aftershocks cannot be ruled out. Residents have been advised to remain alert and follow safety guidelines during emergencies.
