5.5 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Bangladesh, Killing 5 and Injuring Over 450

A 5.5 magnitude earthquake shook Bangladesh on Friday, leaving at least five people dead, including one child and more than 450 injured. The epicentre was near Narsingdi, about 30 kilometres from the capital, Dhaka, BBC reported. 

Buildings swayed and makeshift structures collapsed, prompting residents to rush into the streets. At Dhaka University, at least 10 students were hurt in a stampede while trying to evacuate. In Dhaka’s Armanitola area, three people were killed after a railing and debris fell from a five-storey building.

Gazipur district reported the highest number of injuries, with 252 people affected. Officials said their primary focus is assessing casualties and damage. Tremors were also felt in eastern Indian states bordering Bangladesh, though no major damage was reported there.

The earthquake briefly halted Ireland’s second cricket Test in Bangladesh, as players and spectators took shelter. The match resumed after a short pause.

Environmental adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan described the tremor as the strongest the country has felt in the past five years, emphasizing the severity of the quake.