Earthquake kills 5, injures over 150 in Narsingdi

At least five people were killed and more than 150 others injured in a powerful earthquake that struck the area between Madhabdi and Ghorashal in Narsingdi Sadar Upazila at 10:38am on Friday. The Meteorological Office confirmed that the epicentre was located in that region. Officials warned that the number of injured may rise.

During the quake, buildings shook violently, and many residents were seen running outdoors in panic. In the Gabtali area of the Sadar Upazila, bricks fell from the roof of a seven-storey building under construction, critically injuring Delwar Hossain (37) and his son Omar Faruk (8). Both died after being taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Another unidentified person was also injured. Delwar Hossain, originally from Uttarpara village in Pakundia, Kishoreganj, had been living in Gabtali on rent.

In Palash Upazila, three people died when mud houses collapsed or after falling from trees. The deceased were Kazem Ali Bhuiyan (70) of Malita village, Nasir Uddin (50) of Danga village, and Furkan Mia (42) of Azkitola village. Shibpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Farzana Yasmin confirmed the incident.

At least 55 people have been admitted to the Sadar Hospital and the district hospital. Among the seriously injured are children and young adults. Others received primary treatment and returned home.

The quake caused cracks in numerous buildings across Narsingdi town. In Ishaq Mia’s house at New Bazar village in Ghorashal municipality, severe structural damage was reported. A fire also broke out at a substation of the Ghorashal Power Plant, forcing a temporary shutdown of electricity generation. Firefighters brought the blaze under control within 30 minutes. Cracks were also detected on the old railway bridge over the Shitalakkhya River.

BNP leader Khairul Kabir Khokon and Superintendent of Police Menhajul Alam visited the affected areas and hospitals to check on the injured. The SP said that police were monitoring the situation across the district and providing assistance to residents in this emergency.

Narsingdi Civil Surgeon Dr Syed Amirul Haque Shamim said that at least 55 people were injured and treated at the Sadar Hospital and other facilities. Additional Deputy Commissioner Abu Taher Mohammad Shamsuzzaman confirmed the deaths of four individuals so far. The district administration is assessing the extent of the damage and carrying out urgent relief and rescue efforts.