Dhaka Rocked by 5.7-Magnitude Earthquake, Leaving 10 Dead and Buildings Damaged

Deadly Tremor Strikes Bangladesh Capital

A 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Friday, November 21, 2025, resulting in at least 10 fatalities and over one hundred injuries across the country. The powerful tremor, with its epicenter in Narsingdi, approximately 13 kilometers east of Dhaka's Agargaon area and 10 kilometers beneath the surface, caused significant damage to buildings and sparked widespread panic among residents.

Casualties and Structural Damage Reported

The earthquake claimed four lives in Dhaka, five in Narsingdi, and one in Narayanganj. Among the tragic incidents, three individuals were killed in Old Dhaka's Armanitola area when a railing and debris from a five-storey building collapsed. One of the victims was identified as a medical student, while an eight-year-old boy also perished. In Narayanganj, a baby died after a wall collapsed.

Initial assessments by the Dhaka district administration confirmed damage to at least 14 buildings in the capital. However, the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk), the city's development authority, reported a higher figure, stating that over 50 buildings either tilted or developed major cracks. Notable damage included an eight-storey building in Sutrapur's Swamibagh that leaned against an adjacent structure, and cracks found in the columns of a 10-storey building in Gulshan. The Alatunnessa School and College building in Badda, previously deemed risky, was sealed following further deterioration. Damage was also reported in other districts, including Munshiganj, Rajshahi, Chattogram, and Gazipur.

Experts Warn of Dhaka's Extreme Vulnerability

The earthquake has intensified long-standing warnings from experts regarding Dhaka's extreme vulnerability to seismic activity. Professor Mehedi Ahmed Ansary of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) described the tremor as an 'alarm bell' for Bangladesh, cautioning that a magnitude 6 earthquake could lead to the collapse of most structures in the country. Experts attribute this fragility to decades of unplanned urban expansion, widespread violations of building codes, and the city's foundation on soft alluvial soil, which can liquefy during strong tremors.

Concerns are heightened by data indicating that approximately 95% of buildings in Dhaka were constructed without approved designs or proper oversight, with Rajuk identifying thousands of illegal structures. Dr. Syed Humayun Akhter, former professor of geology at the University of Dhaka, suggested that the 5.7-magnitude event may have 'unlocked' a previously stable plate boundary, hinting at the potential for a more powerful earthquake in the future.

Government Initiates Preparedness Measures

In response to the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks felt on Saturday, November 22, 2025, the interim government of Bangladesh, led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, announced the formation of a national taskforce on earthquake preparedness. Following an emergency meeting with experts and officials, Yunus emphasized the need for swift and scientific action to prevent future disasters. Rajuk Chairman Md Riazul Islam stated that an immediate assessment of all buildings in Dhaka is underway, with notices issued to high-risk structures, some of which have been sealed. Authorities have also launched an emergency service response to assist affected areas.