Deadly Earthquake Rocks Bangladesh, Tremors Felt Across Region

A significant earthquake, initially reported at magnitude 5.7 by the German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ), struck Bangladesh on Friday morning, November 21, 2025, causing widespread panic and claiming lives. The seismic event, which occurred at a shallow depth, led to at least three confirmed fatalities, according to The Hindu and Xinhua News Agency.

news.cn reported, The powerful tremor hit at approximately 10:08 AM local time, with its epicenter located near Narsingdi, about 40 kilometers from the capital city of Dhaka, as reported by The Hindu. The United States Geological Survey (USGS), however, measured the quake at magnitude 5.5, placing its epicenter in the Ghorashal area of Narsingdi district, roughly 25 kilometers from Dhaka, according to the Times of India.

Initial reports from various news outlets, including The Hindu and Xinhua, indicated three deaths. However, later updates from sources like the Times of India and The Economic Times reported that the death toll had risen to at least six people in Dhaka. These fatalities included pedestrians struck by falling building railings and individuals caught in collapsing structures.

thehindu.com noted, The shallow depth of 10 kilometers, consistently reported by both GFZ and USGS, contributed to the strong shaking felt across the region. This characteristic often amplifies surface tremors, increasing the potential for damage and casualties, as noted by the Kolkata Earthquake news.

Residents in Dhaka experienced intense shaking, prompting many to rush out of buildings in fear, according to Reuters witnesses cited by The Jerusalem Post. The quake caused buildings to sway and some makeshift structures to collapse, highlighting the vulnerability of urban infrastructure in the densely populated capital.

indiatimes.com reported, Beyond Bangladesh, mild tremors were also felt in Kolkata, India, and other parts of West Bengal, including Malda and Nadia, as reported by Kolkata Earthquake news. While the shaking caused brief panic among residents, there were no immediate reports of significant damage or injuries in these Indian regions.

Emergency services in Bangladesh launched immediate response efforts to assess structural damage and assist affected residents, as confirmed by Yeni Safak English. The incident has reignited concerns about building safety standards and earthquake preparedness in the rapidly urbanizing nation.

• Seismic Vulnerability of Bangladesh: Bangladesh is situated in a highly active seismic zone, positioned at the complex junction of the Indian, Eurasian, and Burma tectonic plates. This geological setting makes the country particularly susceptible to earthquakes, with several major fault lines, including the Bogura, Tripura, Shillong Plateau, Dauki, and Assam faults, traversing the region, as detailed by the Times of India.
• Impact on Densely Populated Dhaka: The capital city of Dhaka, one of the world's most densely populated urban centers, faces significant risks from seismic events. A 2024 study by Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk), cited by The Business Standard, projected that a 6.9-magnitude earthquake could cause between 864,619 and 1,391,685 buildings in Dhaka to collapse or suffer major structural failure, underscoring the city's extreme vulnerability.
• Casualty Details and Immediate Aftermath: The fatalities in Dhaka included three pedestrians who were crushed by falling building railings, and others who died due to roof and wall collapses, according to Dhaka-based DBC Television as reported by the Times of India. The earthquake also briefly disrupted an ongoing Test match between Bangladesh and Ireland in Dhaka, though the game resumed shortly after, as noted by news reports.
• Regional Tremors and Cross-Border Impact: The tremors extended beyond Bangladesh's borders, reaching eastern Indian states bordering Bangladesh, including West Bengal and parts of Northeast India. While residents in cities like Kolkata experienced furniture shaking and brief panic, authorities confirmed no immediate reports of major damage or casualties in India, according to The Jerusalem Post and Kolkata Earthquake news.
• Earthquake Preparedness Initiatives: Organizations like the German Red Cross, Christian Aid, and Action Contre La Faim have implemented the Dhaka Earthquake and Emergency Preparedness (DEEP) project to enhance resilience and response capacities. This initiative, highlighted by the Red Cross EU Office and Christian Aid, involves training first responders, conducting simulations, and developing school safety plans to mitigate earthquake risks.
• Challenges in Public Preparedness: Despite ongoing efforts, a study on earthquake preparedness in Dhaka revealed that over 65% of surveyed individuals had not participated in any earthquake preparedness programs, even though 92% reported having experienced an earthquake in their region. This indicates a significant gap in community-level awareness and training, as discussed in research on urban preparedness.
• Expert Insights on Shallow Quakes: Seismological experts emphasize that shallow earthquakes, like the one that struck Bangladesh, tend to produce stronger surface shaking compared to deeper quakes. This is because seismic waves travel a shorter distance to the surface, retaining more of their energy, a point underscored by the Times of India and Kolkata Earthquake news.
• Call for Enhanced Building Codes: The incident has prompted renewed discussions among authorities and urban planners regarding the enforcement of stringent building codes and infrastructure resilience. Yeni Safak English noted that rapid urbanization in Bangladesh has sometimes outpaced regulatory oversight, making such events a critical reminder for improved construction standards.