Due to the magnitude 5.7 earthquake the country witnessed on Friday, new cracks appeared in walls, and plaster fell off in at least 10 halls at the University of Dhaka.
Around 22 students were reportedly injured and received treatment, while a large number of students sprained their ankles, became senseless and panicked.
At least 10 people, were killed and around 200 were injured when the earthquake struck Bangladesh, with buildings damaged in many areas, including the densely populated capital, Dhaka.
Following the earthquake, multiple halls at Dhaka University sustained significant damage, with Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall in the worst condition, prompting students to occupy vacant staff quarters rather than stay in the unsafe building.
Several other halls reported new cracks, falling plaster, and widening gaps, with student union leaders expressing serious safety concerns and calling for immediate repairs or new construction.
Twenty-two students were injured during the earthquake across eleven halls, with some requiring surgery, according to Ducsu's health and environment secretary.
Many students panicked, lost consciousness, or sprained ankles while fleeing, with injured students treated at halls or Dhaka University's Shahid Biddhijibe Dr Muhammad Mortaza Medical Centre.
Dormitories open to risk
The most serious situation was in Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall, where students lived under dilapidated conditions for months now. Students jumped despite the risk of injuries, due to panicking over the condition of the buildings.
Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall Union VP Shadik Hosen told Dhaka Tribune that students absolutely do not want to stay in the hall anymore.
"We want to live in a safe place; we need a new building."
Additionally, students from this hall took possession of some rooms that were vacant in a staff quarter of the university situated at Palashi, led by the hall union's Social Welfare Secretary Saifullah.
Saifullah later posted on his Facebook wall: "The vacant rooms in the staff building, Swadhinata Tower, are being occupied by students from Muhsin Hall. From today, students from Mohsin Hall will remain here."
A similar situation was seen at Dr Muhammad Shahidullah Hall. One building of the hall was in hazardous condition already, and the earthquake made that even worse. A budget was also passed for a new building there as well.
Dr Muhammad Shahidullah Hall Union VP Tarekul Islam told Dhaka Tribune that their extension building was already in poor condition, but Friday's earthquake has “made the cracks worse.”
"The construction of a new building there has been approved, and we want work to begin as soon as possible."
Within the last week, plaster fell off at Shahid Sergeant Zahurul Huq Hall and Kabi Jasimuddin Hall. No students were injured but they were concerned about the matter. Friday's earthquake worsened the condition.
Shahid Sergeant Zahurul Huq Hall Union VP Ahsan Habib told Dhaka Tribune that they've seen many cracks in their hall – some in rooms, some in walls, some in pillars- after the earthquake. "We are very worried."
Kabi Jasimuddin Hall Union VP Osman Goni told Dhaka Tribune that the earthquake has caused cracks to appear in several walls, and plaster fell from two rooms.
"The day before, plaster had fallen in another room at 3am while students were sleeping. Students remained terrified throughout the night."
Several other halls faced new cracks on walls, along with plaster falling off.
According to AF Rahman Hall Union GS Habib Ullah, one room of the hall was completely “scattered”, two students were injured, and “cracks have appeared” in the new reading room.
Shamsun Nahar Hall Union VP Kaniz Kurratul Ain told Dhaka Tribune that the gap that existed in the veranda of their hall's "Moddho Vobon" has widened.
"Cracks have formed in several places, and plaster has fallen off."
Sufia Kamal Hall Union VP Sanjana Akter Chowdhury told Dhaka Tribune that cracks have appeared in one room of their dormitory's “Pratyasha Building” and on one veranda of the “Pradeep Building.”
Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall Union VP Abu Nayem told Dhaka Tribune that cracks have appeared on two floors in their hall.
Bijoy Ekattor Hall GS Ashik Billah told Dhaka Tribune that a crack has appeared in one spot in the hall. "But it is not too big."
According to Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall Union VP Rafia Rehnuma, they didn't see any cracks in their hall due to the earthquake, but plaster has fallen off in two places.
"We informed the university's engineering department almost immediately, and after they came and inspected twice, they said there is no life hazard – it will be fine once the plaster is redone."
Injuries and panic
A total of 22 students were injured, including 6 students in Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall, 3 in Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall, 2 in Bijoy Ekattor Hall, 2 in Shahid Sergeant Zahurul Huq Hall, 2 in Sir AF Rahman Hall, 2 in Kabi Jasimuddin Hall, and 1 each in Ruqayyah Hall, Shamsun Nahar Hall, Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall, Surja Sen Hall, and Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall.
This information was given to Dhaka Tribune by the Health and Environment Secretary of Ducsu's Central Union Abdullah Al Minhaz.
Minhaz told Dhaka Tribune that this is the number of students who received treatment. "Some students were sent to halls, some were sent to Mortaza Medical Centre of DU, and some required surgeries."
He also informed that a large number of students panicked, became senseless and sprained their ankles due to the earthquake.
