Powerful earthquake jolts Dhaka, some parts of Bangladesh

A powerful earthquake shook several parts of the country, including the capital Dhaka, this morning.

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the tremor was recorded at 10:38 am. It measured 5.7 on the Richter scale. 

The epicentre was located in Madhabdi of Narsingdi, about 13 km east of the Seismic Centre at Agargaon in Dhaka. The coordinates were Lat.: 23.77°N, Long.: 90.51°E.

During and right after the earthquake, people were seen stepping out on the streets out of fear.

Photo: Jahidul Islam

Prof Syed Humayun Akhter, former Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Open University and former Chairman of the Department of Geology of Dhaka University, said the earthquake shook parts of Bangladesh this morning.

He estimated the epicentre depth between 10 and 12 kilometres. Bangladesh experienced the quake at an intensity of approximately 5 to 6 on the scale, he said, suggesting it may have occurred at a shallow depth within the country.

"In recent times, Bangladesh has not felt a tremor of such magnitude. Buildings were seen to be shaking like trees," Prof Akhter said.

Reports of buildings tilting and being damaged are coming in but at the time of filing this report, they could not be verified