At least 10 people have died and more than 200 others were injured across Bangladesh following an earthquake on Friday morning.
Four of the victims died in Dhaka, five in Narsingdi, and one in Narayanganj.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus expressed grief over the casualties in the capital and other affected areas.
Dhaka fatalities
In Dhaka, the deaths occurred in Armanitola when the railing of a building’s roof collapsed, killing three people.
Several others were injured in the incident.
Ashish Kumar Ghosh, sub-inspector of Banshal police station, confirmed the deaths.
Sources at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) and Sir Salimullah Medical College Mitford Hospital said 44 people were treated for earthquake-related injuries at DMCH, six of whom remain under care.
Another 16 are receiving treatment at Mitford Hospital, and 16 at the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (Nitor), also known as Pongu Hospital.
The victims were Rafiqul Islam, Abdur Rahim, and his son Mehrab Hossain.
Rafiqul Islam was a student at Sir Salimullah Medical College Mitford Hospital. Abdur Rahim hailed from Chandrakona, Lakshmipur, and lived in a rented house behind Suritola School.
Meanwhile, in Dhaka’s Mugda area, Md. Maksud, 50, a security guard, died after a railing collapsed at a building under construction during the earthquake in Madina Bagh.
Inspector Asaduzzaman of Mugda Police (Investigation) confirmed the death of the security worker.
Narsingdi, Narayanganj casualties
In Narsingdi, five people have died.
The deceased are Omar, 10, his father Delwar Hossain from Chinishpur Union, Sadar Upazila, and Kazem Ali Bhuiya, 75, from Malitapara, Char Sindur Union, Palash Upazila, Nasir Uddin, 60, son of Siru Mia from Noyapara village, Danga Union, and Forkan Mia, 45, son of the late Sharafat Ali from Azkitola village, Joynagar Union, Shibpur Upazila.
Md Delwar Hossain, 40, passed away at around 6:15pm on Friday while receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), after his son Omar had been killed earlier at 1pm when their house was damaged in the earthquake.
The incident was confirmed by Md Faruk, Inspector in charge of the DMCH Police Camp.
In Rupganj, Narayanganj, a 10-month-old infant named Fatema died after a wall collapsed. The child’s mother, Kulsuma Begum (30), and another person were injured in the incident.
Earthquake details
The tremor struck at 10:38am on Friday. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported a magnitude of 5.7 on the Richter scale, with the epicenter in Madhabdi, Narsingdi, describing it as a moderate earthquake.
Injuries and panic
Over 200 people were injured in Dhaka, Narsingdi, and Gazipur.
The Directorate General of Health Services reported 10 injuries at DMCH and 10 at Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital.
Several Dhaka University students were seriously injured after jumping from buildings in panic. In total, at least 10 students were hurt, with some admitted to hospitals.
In Narsingdi, 45 people were treated at the district hospital, three of whom were referred to DMCH in critical condition. Another 10 were treated at the Narsingdi 100-bed Hospital.
In Gazipur’s Sreepur, over 150 workers were injured in a stampede while rushing out of the multi-story Denimex garment factory.
Nurjahan Begum, health adviser of the interim government, said many injuries were caused by panic.
Control room activated
Faruk E Azam, adviser for Disaster Management and Relief, directed that all relevant departments closely monitor the situation and immediately assess potential damage.
A control room has been opened at the Department of Disaster Management, with the public urged to call 0258811651 for assistance.
Rapid assessment of damage is underway, and necessary measures will be taken.
