Bangladesh was rattled on Friday morning by a significant earthquake, with tremors felt across the entire country.
The earthquake, striking at 1038 am, is believed to be one of the strongest ever endured in recent times.
According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the earthquake registered 5.7 on the Richter scale, while the United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded a slightly lower magnitude of 5.5.
The epicentre was located in Madhabdi, Narsingdi, at a depth of 10 kilometres.
Professor Mehedi Ahmed Ansary of the Civil Engineering Department at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology( BUET) described the earthquake as a wake-up call for the nation.
Speaking to Prothom Alo, he said, “Such earthquakes are expected in Bangladesh, and if an earthquake of magnitude 6 strikes, there is a risk that everything could collapse.”
Tremor Hits Bangladesh – Dhaka on Alert
Dhaka city, home to approximately 2.1 million people, faces particular vulnerability. Among these, 600,000 are taller than six stories and are at the highest risk in the event of a major quake. Many structures in the city do not strictly follow building codes, raising further concerns for safety.
Historical Earthquakes Show Recurring Risk
Experts have long warned of the country’s vulnerability to seismic activity. Historically, the region has experienced devastating quakes, including the 1762 ‘Great Arakan Earthquake’ measuring 8.5, which impacted areas such as Chattogram, Feni, and Cumilla.
Subsequent major quakes included the 1897 Assam earthquake (8.7), the 1918 Balisira Valley quake in Sylhet (7.6), and the 1930 Dhubri quake in Assam (7.1).
BREAKING: BANGLADESH ROCKED BY 6.0 EARTHQUAKE
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Bangladesh early Friday, shaking the densely populated region around Dhaka.
The quake hit at 4:38 GMT at a depth of 36 kilometers, with its epicenter roughly 28 kilometers northeast of the… pic.twitter.com/LC1w1RrS3z
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) November 21, 2025
Professor Ansary highlighted that major earthquakes tend to recur roughly every 150 years, suggesting that Bangladesh could now be entering a period of heightened risk.
Dhaka Buildings Need Preparedness
“Today’s tremor is a warning sign for Bangladesh. After the Rana Plaza collapse, garment factory buildings were inspected and categorised as safe or unsafe. Now, buildings across the capital must be reviewed to prevent future disasters,” said Professor Ansary.
The World Bank has allocated $180 million to RAJUK for earthquake preparedness and other urban planning initiatives, but Professor Ansary noted that the organisation currently lacks the capacity to fully utilise these funds.
As Bangladesh processes the impact of today’s earthquake, experts urge residents to remain vigilant and for authorities to strengthen building inspections and preparedness measures to mitigate the risk of future disasters.
