Six killed, over 300 injured as strong quake jolts Bangladesh

A powerful earthquake—the strongest felt in decades—left six people dead and more than 300 injured across the country on Friday morning (November 21).

In Old Dhaka’s Kosaituli area, the railing of a six-storey building at 20/C KP Ghosh Street collapsed around the time of the 10:38am tremor, killing three pedestrians on the spot. At least 10 others were injured during this time.

Police said the building did not collapse, but debris from the broken railing fatally struck the victims. Their identities of the deceased are yet to be confirmed.

In Narsingdi’s Gabtoli, a falling sunshade injured Delwar Hossain Uzzal, his son Omar (10) and two daughters. Omar died after being taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, police said. In Palash, an elderly woman was killed when a mud wall collapsed during the quake.

In Narayanganj’s Rupganj, a newborn named Fatema died after a wall collapsed on the family home. The child’s mother and a neighbour were injured, according to police.

Meanwhile, in Gazipur’s Sreepur, more than 300 garment workers were injured in a stampede while rushing out of Denimach Ltd during the quake. Many were taken to local hospitals, including Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College, the National Institute of Traumatology (Pongu Hospital), and Mymensingh Medical College Hospital.

The 5.7-magnitude quake, with its epicentre in Narsingdi’s Madhabdi, shook Dhaka and surrounding districts at 10:38:26am.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus expressed deep sorrow over the deaths and injuries and said the government is closely monitoring the situation.