Three Foreshocks in 32 Hours Intensify Fear Across Bangladesh
Ten fatalities from 5.7 quake spark terror with three jolts in 32 hours.
The devastating 5.7-magnitude earthquake that struck central Bangladesh on Friday morning, claimed at least 10 lives inflicting widespread structural damage, particularly in the capital Dhaka and surrounding districts. The tremor, originating 10 kilometers beneath the surface in Narsingdi, persisted for over 25 seconds, exacerbating the destruction due to the region's fragile soil composition. Hundreds sustained injuries as buildings crumbled, underscoring the nation's vulnerability in a seismically active zone.
Compounding the tragedy, three subsequent tremors rattled the affected areas within a mere 32 hours, intensifying public apprehension across the densely populated nation. The initial aftershock occurred Saturday morning, coinciding closely with the primary event, while two more struck nearly simultaneously that evening—one centered in Dhaka's crowded Badda district and the other in Narsingdi. These events, classified by the Bangladesh Meteorology Department as foreshocks, have prompted urgent evacuations and heightened alertness among residents.
Meteorological authorities confirmed the evening tremors registered 3.7 and 4.3 on the Richter scale, categorizing them as minor to light in intensity yet sufficient to evoke widespread panic. Acting Director Md Momenul Islam of the department attributed the prolonged shaking of the original quake to suboptimal geological conditions, emphasizing that magnitudes below six can still yield significant impacts in such terrain. Emergency response teams continue to assess damage, with reports indicating compromised infrastructure in multiple locales.
Also Read: Death Toll Hits 10 After 5.7-Magnitude Earthquake Near Dhaka, Bangladesh
Seismologists have reiterated longstanding cautions that Bangladesh, positioned at the convergence of major tectonic plates and traversed by active fault lines, faces an elevated risk of a catastrophic event. The nation's capital, Dhaka—one of the world's 20 most earthquake-prone urban centers—harbors a dense populace alongside numerous aging and substandard structures, amplifying potential devastation. Historical precedents, including five quakes exceeding 7.0 magnitude between 1869 and 1930, serve as stark reminders of the peril.
As aftershock monitoring persists, governmental agencies urge stringent preparedness measures, including retrofitting initiatives and public education campaigns. The sequence of seismic disturbances not only mourns the immediate toll but also galvanizes a national reckoning with the inexorable threat of nature's fury, demanding proactive resilience to avert a foreseen calamity.
Also Read: 5.7-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Central Bangladesh, Tremors Felt Across Kolkata
