A powerful 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Bangladesh on Friday morning, killing at least six and injuring dozens, according to local media reports.
Here are the top five updates:
1. Buildings were damaged in many areas, including Dhaka, the densely populated capital. “Shakes were felt in neighboring India’s eastern states that border Bangladesh, but no major damage was immediately reported in either country,” authorities said, according to Reuters.
2. The earthquake struck at 10:38 a.m. with its epicenter in the Ghorashal area of Narsingdi district, about 25 kilometers (16 mi) from Dhaka. The USGS reported a depth of 10 kilometers (6 mi). Police said three people died when the railing of the six-story building collapsed during the tremors.
What the witnesses said
3. Residents fled their homes as buildings shook and some temporary structures gave way, according to Reuters witnesses. “We felt a strong tremor and buildings were shaking like trees,” said Suman Rahman, a resident of Dhaka. “The stairs were clogged as people rushed down. Everyone was scared, children were crying.” Firefighters reported injuries after falling bricks and loose cement from buildings that were under construction. “I have never felt such a tremor in my life. We were in the office when the furniture started shaking. We ran down the stairs to the street and saw other people on the way,” said Sadman Sakib, who works in a private firm in Dhaka.
Yunus reacts
4. Muhammad Yunus, the head of the South Asian country’s interim government, urged people to remain calm as authorities assessed the damage. “Everyone is urged to remain vigilant and not pay attention to any rumors or misinformation,” he said in a statement. “Additional guidance will be provided through hotlines and official channels as needed. We remain committed to the safety of all citizens.”
The tremors were felt in Calcutta
5. Meanwhile, there were tremors in Kolkata, several areas of West Bengal and Guwahati in Assam, leading many people to rush outside due to security measures.
We felt a strong tremor and the buildings shook like trees.
The USGS notes that while northern and southeastern Bangladesh experience significant seismic activity due to the interaction between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, the central part of the country is generally much less active, AFP reported.
(With input from agencies)
