Earthquake in Bangladesh: A strong 5.5-magnitude tremor rocks Dhaka, causing deaths. Panic also spreads in India.

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck Bangladesh on Friday morning, shaking the capital, Dhaka, and sending thousands of people into the streets in terror. The earthquake, which was also clearly felt in India, left at least six dead and dozens injured, while authorities continue to monitor the situation to assess the full extent of the damage.

A sudden earthquake shook the capital

The tremor struck at 10:38 a.m. local time (5:38 a.m. in Italy), when many residents were home from work for the day of prayer. Despite its moderate magnitude, the earthquake was felt strongly because the epicenter was at a shallow depth—between 10 and 15 kilometers—making the shaking of buildings particularly intense and prolonged.

The epicenter was located between the areas of Narsingdi, Madhabdi, and Ghorashal, about half an hour from the capital. This area lies along the Madhupur fault, a geological structure known to be among the most seismically active in the country.

Many people have reported feeling the buildings vibrate over twenty seconds, a very long time when you're on high floors or in older buildings. Surveillance camera footage released shortly afterward shows furniture swaying, objects falling, and people staggering to safety.

Panic in the streets: fear of a collapse

In Dhaka, a city of over twenty million people, the reaction was immediate: as soon as the tremors were felt, thousands of people fled their homes, offices, and shops. AFP journalists described dramatic scenes: people in tears, families hugging in the streets, and others calling relatives trapped in the worst-hit buildings.

Fear also stems from the structural fragility of many buildings in the capital, already strained by humidity and overcrowding. It is precisely the collapse of some sections of buildings that has caused several casualties. Local sources report at least six deaths, including a medical student, and numerous injured people rushed to the hospital.

Many stories circulating on social media speak of a clear feeling of instability: “It felt like someone was pushing our house from one side to the other”, explained a resident of Barisal. “I've never been so scared”, wrote a woman from the Khilkhet neighborhood, recalling how her building had been shaking for a long time.

The earthquake also reaches India: Calcutta stops for thirty seconds

The earthquake wasn't limited to Bangladesh. Seismic waves crossed the border, reaching the city of Kolkata and all of West Bengal, where the tremor was felt for about thirty seconds.

Here too, residents reacted with fear: schools were evacuated, offices emptied, and traffic was interrupted for several minutes. According to one witness, "The bed moved, and I immediately knew I had to go downstairs." Another resident reported that the ceiling fans "shuddered for almost ten seconds."

Fortunately, no reports of significant damage or casualties have been received from Indian authorities.

A fragile territory from a seismic point of view

Bangladesh is no stranger to earthquakes. It lies at the intersection of the Indian and Eurasian plates, where geological stresses can generate sudden tremors. However, according to the USGS, the central part of the country—where the earthquake occurred—is typically less active than the north and southeast. This would also explain why the population was struck so suddenly.

The Madhupur fault, however, represents a critical point: it extends for about 100 kilometers and is capable of generating even more intense tremors. For many experts, today's episode is a further wake-up call regarding the need to strengthen building standards and emergency plans.

Inspections underway and rescue operations active: the total is set to grow.

Rescue teams are currently assessing the condition of buildings and villages closest to the epicenter. Information is gradually arriving, and in some rural areas, communications are difficult, leading authorities to fear the number of victims and injuries could rise.

Dhaka hospitals have received dozens of people with fractures, trauma, and panic attacks. Health facilities have been placed on high alert, while the government will evaluate any emergency measures in the coming hours.