3 killed, several injured as 5.7-magnitude earthquake jolts

A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck Bangladesh on Friday, leaving at least three people dead and injuring several others, police confirmed. The tremor caused damage across multiple areas, including the capital Dhaka, one of the world’s most crowded cities. Authorities reported cracked walls, falling debris, and structural damage in several neighbourhoods.

The U.S. Geological Survey identified the quake’s epicentre in Narsingdi, a city located roughly 40 kilometres east of Dhaka. The tremors were powerful enough to be felt across the border in India’s eastern states, though officials there said no major damage had been reported so far.

In Dhaka, panicked residents fled apartment blocks and office buildings as the ground shook. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as people ran onto the streets while makeshift structures and construction materials collapsed around them. Police said the three fatalities occurred when a railing on a six-storey building gave way during the quake.

“We felt a strong jolt and the buildings were shaking like they were swaying in the wind,” said Dhaka resident Suman Rahman. “People were rushing down the stairs all at once. Children were screaming, and everyone was terrified.”

Emergency services reported multiple injuries after pieces of brickwork and loose cement fell from construction sites. Office workers in the capital described furniture rattling violently and entire floors trembling. “I’ve never experienced anything like this,” said Sadman Sakib, an employee at a private firm in Dhaka. “We ran outside immediately and found the streets already crowded with people.”

As rescue teams assessed the damage, the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, Muhammad Yunus, urged the public to stay calm and avoid misinformation. In a statement, he advised people to remain alert and rely only on official channels for updates. Helplines and emergency guidance would be provided as needed, he added, reassuring citizens that authorities were working to ensure their safety.

The quake triggered widespread fear but also prompted a swift response from local police, firefighters, and municipal authorities. Assessment teams continued inspecting damaged buildings throughout the afternoon, while residents hesitated to return indoors amid concerns about aftershocks.