Govt monitors post earthquake situation, urges public not to believe rumors

The government has been monitoring public concern and panic following a 5.7-magnitude earthquake that struck at 10:38am on Friday (November 21).

The earthquake, with its epicenter in Madhabdi, Narsingdi, about 13 km from Dhaka, left four people dead and caused damage to several buildings in the capital and nearby areas.

In a Facebook statement, the Chief Adviser’s office said all relevant departments have been instructed to assess potential damage on the ground. Fire service units have been responding rapidly to reported incidents across Dhaka and other districts.

Several false reports of building collapses and other emergencies were received. For instance, an eight-storey building in Armanitola and a seven-storey building on Abedkhali Road were reported to have collapsed, but inspections confirmed no structural damage, only minor falling plaster and bricks.

Minor injuries were reported in Khilgaon when a brick fell from a construction site, and fire incidents in Baridhara and Munshiganj are being addressed, with investigations ongoing on whether they were quake-related.

The government urged citizens to remain vigilant, avoid spreading or believing rumors, and assured that public safety is the top priority.