Key Points
- 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit Bangladesh at 10:08 am IST on Friday, November 21, 2025
- Epicenter located in Narsingdi district, 40 km east of Dhaka, at shallow depth of 10 km
- At least five killed, around 100 injured, casualties include Dhaka University students and factory workers
- Three deaths occurred at Dhaka’s Mitford Hospital due to broken railings from building collapses
- Tremors felt across West Bengal and Northeast India, including Kolkata, Malda, and Guwahati
- Power supply disrupted in Dhaka and major cities, fire services placed on high alert
- Bangladesh geologist calls it strongest tremor ever felt around Dhaka, caused by Indo-Burma plate collision
Dhaka: The earthquake occurred at 10:08 am IST, with its epicenter in the Madhabdi area of Narsingdi district, approximately 40 km east-southeast from Dhaka. The Bangladesh Meteorological Center recorded the magnitude at 5.7, while the US Geological Survey measured it at 5.5. The quake struck at a shallow depth of just 10 km, causing intense surface vibrations that lasted about 26 seconds. Bangladesh geologist Humayun Kabir stated this was the strongest tremor ever felt around Dhaka, caused by the collision of the Indo-Burma tectonic plates.
Casualties and Building Damage
The death toll stands at least five, including a child, with around 100 people injured across the affected regions. Three people died at Dhaka’s Mitford Hospital after building railings collapsed on them during the quake. The injured include students from Dhaka University, factory workers in Gazipur industrial area, and residents of Narsingdi. According to Bangladesh’s leading news portal Prothom Alo, the force of the tremor caused cracks in many homes and old buildings in Dhaka, with parts of balconies collapsing in several locations and staircase railings breaking. The fire department reported injuries occurred when bricks and loose cement fell from buildings under construction.
Panic and Power Outages in Dhaka
Panicked residents rushed out of homes and offices as buildings shook violently across Dhaka. Witnesses described terrifying scenes, with one resident Suman Rahman stating, “We experienced a strong shock, and the buildings were shaking like trees. Staircases were jammed as people rushed down. Everyone was terrified, children were crying”. Power supply was disrupted in Dhaka and several major cities following the tremor, affecting hospitals, markets, and densely populated areas. Sadman Sakib, a Dhaka office worker, recounted, “I have never felt such a tremor in my life. We were at the office when furniture started shaking. We rushed down the stairs and saw other people on the road already”.
Regional Impact Across India
Tremors were widely felt across eastern India, including West Bengal and Northeastern states. In Kolkata, located over 325 km from the epicenter, residents reported fans and wall hangings swaying for seven to eight seconds. Tremors were also experienced in Malda, Nadia, Cooch Behar, Dakshin Dinajpur, Uttar Dinajpur, and parts of Assam including Guwahati. No immediate reports of major damage or casualties emerged from Indian regions, though employees evacuated buildings as a precautionary measure. The earthquake also briefly disrupted the ongoing Test match between Bangladesh and Ireland in Dhaka, though the game resumed after a few minutes.
Government Response and Rescue Operations
Bangladesh’s interim government leader Muhammad Yunus confirmed the government is actively monitoring the situation and has directed departments to intensify rescue operations in affected areas. Fire services and disaster management teams in all major cities, including Dhaka, have been placed on high alert to control the situation. Rescue teams are inspecting buildings to prevent further damage and ensure public safety. Health advisor Nurjahan Begum reported that several injured individuals from Narsingdi were in critical condition and required hospitalization. The National Center for Seismology warned of possible aftershocks, urging people to stay alert and avoid using elevators.
