A massive earthquake, 5.7 on the Richter scale, jolted Bangladesh this morning (21 November), according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
The BMD said the quake struck at 10:38am, with its epicentre located in Madhabdi, Narsingdi, about 13km east of the seismic centre in Dhaka's Agargaon.
Meanwhile, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) put the magnitude of the quake at 5.5 on the Richter scale, saying the epicentre of the tremor was 14km west-southwest of Narsingdi.
Many residents in different parts of Dhaka and elsewhere rushed out of their homes in panic during the earthquake. The tremor lasted for a few seconds.
Reports of minor cracks appearing in some buildings have also been received from several areas.
Accounts from across the country
Taslima Begum from Gournadi in Barishal said, "Our two-storey house shook violently several times. I was sitting on the bed, and it felt like somebody was pushing it."
Kamrun Nahar Jui, who lives on the eighth floor of a building in Dhaka's Khilkhet, said, "There was milk boiling on the stove, and the pot fell off. I have never been this scared."
Like in many other areas of the country, residents rushed out of their homes in panic in Dhaka's Kallyanpur.
One of them, Abu Sufian Fahim, said, "Allah saved us. A little more shaking and the cupboard in my room would have toppled over.
"The tremor lasted a few seconds, and our five-storey building swayed noticeably."
People from Bogura, Magura, Rajshahi, Netrokona and Noakhali also reported that the quake shook their areas.
Hasina can’t evade responsibility for Khaleda Zia’s death: Nazrul
Pakistan’s National Assembly speaker calls on chief adviser
Three service chiefs attend Khaleda Zia’s janaza
Farewell to a leader; Khaleda Zia laid to rest with state honour
Highest 18 candidates file nominations in Dhaka-12, Gazipur-2
Mirza Fakhrul submits nomination for Thakurgaon-1
Artistes mourn the passing of Khaleda Zia
Khaleda Zia’s janaza held with tears of lakhs of mourners
Rumeen Farhana, Nirob among nine BNP leaders expelled
