Dhaka/Kolkata: At least six people lost their lives and scores were injured in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka after a 5.5 magnitude earthquake rocked central parts of country on Friday morning.
Tremors were felt in India’s northeastern states and parts of West Bengal, resulting in panic. People left their homes, offices and classrooms after feeling the tremors in Kolkata and surrounding areas.
Bangladesh’s DBC Television reported that at least six people died in Dhaka. While three were killed after the collapse of a building’s roof and wall, three pedestrians died after being crushed under falling building railings.
The earthquake struck at 10:38 am local time (10.08 am IST). The US Geological Survey (USGS) placed the epicenter in the Ghorashal area of Narsingdi district, located about 25 kilometers (16 miles) from Dhaka. Its depth was reported to be just 10 kilometers (6 miles).
The location is about 359 km to the northeast of Kolkata.
Experts say that shallow earthquakes, like this one (10 km deep), tend to cause more intense shaking on the surface because the seismic waves have a shorter distance to travel. Several buildings in Dhaka seem to have started leaning after the quake.
The cricket Test match being played between Bangladesh and Ireland in Dhaka was also halted for about five minutes due to the earthquake, it has been reported.
People living in Kolkata and surroundings said that they felt the tremors shortly after 10 am. They reported furniture shaking, fans swaying and curtains moving for several seconds. Some even rushed out of their houses and offices.
The earthquake was also felt in parts of Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram that have borders with Bangladesh.
However, no loss to life or property has been reported from any parts of India.
