A magnitude 5.5 earthquake shook Bangladesh, resulting in the tragic loss of five lives, including a young child, and injuring more than 450 individuals. The earthquake's epicenter was located near the Narsingdi district, approximately 30 kilometers from Dhaka, the country's capital.
Residents fled from residential and commercial buildings as the tremors caused panic and structural damage. Eyewitness reports detail scenes of chaos, especially from Dhaka University, where at least 10 students were injured in a stampede while trying to exit the premises.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, an environmental adviser in Bangladesh, expressed her shock, stating, We have never experienced an earthquake this powerful in the last five years. The situation has prompted urgent assessments of casualties and damage by local authorities.
According to deputy police commissioner Mallik Ahsan Uddin Sami, three fatalities occurred when debris and railings fell from a five-storey building in Dhaka's Armanitola area. The total injuries reported were primarily concentrated in Gazipur district, with 252 individuals needing medical attention.
Reports from locals describe unprecedented shaking. Bengali resident Sadman Sakib remarked, I have never felt such a tremor in my 30 years of life. Others shared similar stories, indicating widespread fear and uncertainty during the quake.
As rescue efforts continue, tremors were also felt in neighboring eastern Indian states, although no significant damage has been reported there. The quake even interrupted Ireland's second Test cricket match in Bangladesh, which paused momentarily as players and spectators sought safety.
Coaches and players quickly regrouped following the brief interruption, with the head coach reflecting on the unsettling experience: It's never a nice feeling... but we are thinking of everyone affected by this earthquake. The focus now shifts to recovery and support for those affected by this natural disaster.
