Dhaka, Nov 21 (V7N) — Six people have died and more than 200 others have been injured following a powerful earthquake that struck Dhaka and several other parts of Bangladesh on Friday morning.

The casualties include three deaths in Dhaka, two in Narsingdi, and one in Narayanganj. Among the deceased are two children: a newborn in Rupganj, Narayanganj, and a child named Omar in Narsingdi. In Dhaka, three pedestrians — Sabuj (30), medical student Rafiul (20), and an unidentified person — were killed when the railing of a five-story building collapsed in Kasaitali.

According to an unofficial Health Ministry briefing, patients are being treated at multiple hospitals:

  • Dhaka Medical College: 10 patients

  • Tajuddin Medical College, Gazipur: 72 patients

  • Sreepur Upazila Health Complex: 86 patients

  • Narsingdi District Hospital: 45 patients

Many others have returned home after receiving primary treatment, while severely injured patients have been admitted or referred to other hospitals.

The earthquake occurred at 10:39 am and lasted for a few seconds. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported a magnitude of 5.7, with its epicenter in Narsingdi at a depth of 10 kilometers. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded its intensity at 5.5.

The tremor also caused widespread panic, structural damage, and forced thousands of residents to evacuate their homes and workplaces.

END/SMA/AJ