Deaths rise to 10, experts warn of major earthquakes

The earthquake has killed 10 people including two children across the country so far. Among them, there are 4 people in Dhaka, 5 people in Narsingdi and 1 person in Narayanganj. Hundreds of people were injured in this incident in different districts.

Ashish Kumar, Sub-Inspector (SI) of Banshal police station in the capital, told the media, “Sir Salimullah Medical College student Rafiul Islam (21), aged clothier Abdur Rahim (41) and his son Abul Aziz Ramon (12) died when the roof railing of a building collapsed in Old Dhaka's Kasaituli area. At least 10 people were injured in the incident. Most of them had rushed to buy beef from a nearby shop.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Narsingdi Abu Taher Mohammad Shamsuzzaman told the media that 2 people died while rushing down from the high building due to the earthquake. Besides, 3 more people died. Hundreds were injured.

The deceased are Delwar Hossain and his son Omar (8) of Chinishpur Union of Narsingdi Sadar Upazila, Kazem Ali Bhuiyan (75) of Malitapara of Charsindur Union of Palash Upazila, Nasiruddin (60) of Danga Union of the same upazila and Forkan (40) of Joynagar Union of Shibpur Upazila.

A one-year-old child died after a wall collapsed in Narayanganj's Rupganj due to the earthquake. This incident happened in Golakandail area of ​​the upazila.

Experts warn of major earthquakes
“Before the big earthquake comes, small earthquakes are its early warning,” says Mehdi Ahmed Ansari, a professor and earthquake researcher at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. BBC news.

Ansari said, “Normally every 100 to 150 years a region is prone to a major earthquake. Bangladesh and its surrounding areas have experienced one major earthquake and about five moderate earthquakes in the last 150 years.”

^{The epicenter of the earthquake is Narsingdi. Photo: Taken from USGS}

He said, “The last major earthquake in the vicinity of Bangladesh was about a hundred years ago. So another major earthquake is likely to occur in the near future.”

Ansari said, “If a building is constructed without complying with the building code, it is normal that the damage will be more. It is necessary to identify the dangerous buildings and take measures.”

The fear of damage is increasing in the unplanned buildings that are being constructed in the big cities of the country, especially in Dhaka and Chittagong, he said.

United Nations and United States express solidarity
The United Nations and the United States expressed their deepest condolences and solidarity with the victims of the earthquake in Dhaka on Friday.

The United Nations Office in Bangladesh said in a statement on social media that they are closely monitoring the situation and express their solidarity and deepest condolences to all those affected.

In a separate message, the US Embassy in Dhaka expressed its deepest condolences to all those affected by the earthquake.

Mourning of the Chief Adviser
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has expressed deep grief over the news of the collapse of houses and other accidents in various districts of the country due to the earthquake.

In a condolence message, the chief adviser prayed for the souls of the deceased and expressed his deepest condolences to the bereaved families.

He wished speedy recovery of the injured and directed all concerned departments to intensify rescue operations in the affected areas.

“The situation is being closely monitored by the government and efforts have been made to collect full details of the damage,” the chief adviser said.

^{Fire service activity after the earthquake}

The earthquake was first felt around 10:38 am on Friday (November 21). At this time, different parts of the country were shaken. The epicenter of the earthquake is Madhavadi in Narsingdi. According to Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the magnitude of the earthquake is 5.7. However, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the magnitude of the earthquake was 5.5 on the Richter scale.