Dhaka Quake Leaves 10 Dead and Hundreds Injured

Dhaka Quake Leaves 10 Dead and Hundreds Injured

At least 10 people, including two children, were killed and several hundred injured after a 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck Dhaka and nearby districts on Friday morning.

Four deaths were reported in Dhaka, five in Narsingdi, and one in Narayanganj.

In Old Dhaka’s Kasaituli area, a brick-built rooftop railing collapsed, killing Rafiul Islam, 21, a student of Sir Salimullah Medical College; Abdur Rahim, 48, a fabric trader; and Rahim’s 12-year-old son, Abul Aziz Remon. At least ten others were injured, many of whom had gathered to buy beef from a nearby butcher’s stall.

Brig Gen Md Mazharul Islam Khan, director of Sir Salimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital, confirmed that the three victims were brought in dead. He said around 20 others received treatment, with one requiring admission.

In Dhaka’s Mugda area, a 50-year-old security guard, Md Maksud, was killed when part of a building wall collapsed on him as he attempted to flee during the tremor. He was taken to Mugda Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead around noon.

In Rupganj of Narayanganj, a 10-month-old girl named Fatema was killed when a wall collapsed on her. Her mother and a neighbour were injured and are receiving treatment at a local private hospital.

Five deaths were reported in Narsingdi, where around 100 people were injured across Sadar, Palash, and Shibpur upazilas. Construction material falling from an unfinished building in Chinishpur union severely injured four people. Two of them were transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where eight-year-old Hafiz Omar was declared dead. His father, Delwar Hossain Uzzal, later died from his injuries.

In Palash upazila, 75-year-old Kazem Ali Bhuiya died after his earthen house collapsed on him. He passed away while being taken to the district hospital.

Another man, Nasiruddin, 60, from Islampara Nayapara village, died after jumping from a roadside embankment in panic as the tremors began. His family did not take the body to a hospital.

In Shibpur upazila, a man identified as Md Forkan, 40, fell from a tree due to the shaking. He was rushed to Narsingdi District Hospital and later referred to Dhaka, but died on the way.

The epicentre of the earthquake was located in Madhabdi of Narsingdi.

At Dhaka Medical College Hospital, officials said 41 patients had arrived by early afternoon, including two Dhaka University students. Six were admitted while the others were treated and discharged.

In Gazipur, around 100 factory workers in Tongi and Sreepur were injured while rushing out of buildings during the tremor.

Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum, after visiting injured patients at DMCH, said all government hospitals have been instructed to ensure proper treatment for those affected.