A moderate but powerful 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck Bangladesh on Friday, killing at least five people and injuring around 100 others, according to government officials. The quake, which rattled buildings across the densely populated capital Dhaka, sent thousands of terrified residents running into the streets.

Local broadcaster DBC Television reported a slightly higher fatality count of six deaths, including three victims crushed by collapsing roofs and walls, and three pedestrians killed when railings fell from trembling buildings.

Epicentre Near Narsingdi, Close to Dhaka

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake hit at 10:38am local time (04:38 GMT), with its epicentre located near Narsingdi, roughly 33km (16 miles) northeast of Dhaka.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department recorded the quake at a slightly stronger magnitude 5.7, noting that the shaking lasted 26 seconds—long enough to cause significant fear and structural damage.

With most people at home due to the national day off, the tremors struck at a particularly vulnerable moment for the country’s 170 million residents.

‘Buildings Were Shaking’: Residents Describe Panic

Witnesses described chaotic scenes as office towers, apartment blocks, and markets shook violently.

Dhaka resident Shadman Sakif Islam told Al Jazeera that he first noticed “small ripples” in his coffee before a “massive shake” jolted his home.

“My chair and table started shaking wildly… I never felt anything like this in my whole life,” he said. “It felt like riding a boat over massive waves.”

Al Jazeera correspondent Tanvir Chowdhury, reporting from Dhaka, noted that the quake was one of the most powerful in recent years and occurred alarmingly close to the capital. Videos circulating on social media showed high-rise buildings swaying and residents rushing for safety.

AFP journalists witnessed people crying in the streets and others standing frozen in shock, struggling to process what had happened.

Casualties and Structural Damage Reported

Authorities confirmed that among the dead was a medical student, with dozens more suffering injuries ranging from cuts to fractures caused by falling debris and stampedes during evacuation.

Damaged buildings, collapsed walls, and debris-littered alleys were reported across older sections of Dhaka, where structures are often congested and less resilient to seismic activity.

USGS analysts warned of the possibility of “significant casualties” and further damaged structures, given the population density and the proximity of the quake’s epicentre.

Tremors Felt Across India

The earthquake’s impact was not limited to Bangladesh. Tremors were felt further west in Kolkata, India, over 325km (200 miles) from the epicentre. Residents there similarly rushed out of homes and workplaces.

“I felt my bed move,” said Sumit Dutta, 66, describing his experience. “I rushed out of my room immediately.”

Indian authorities, however, reported no casualties or major damage.

Bangladesh on Alert as Authorities Assess Damage

Rescue teams and disaster management crews have been deployed across multiple districts to assess structural damage and ensure safety.

Bangladesh, though not located on a major fault line, remains vulnerable to earthquakes because of its soft soil, unplanned urban development, and proximity to tectonically active regions in South Asia.

Officials warn that aftershocks may follow and urge residents to stay alert while engineers examine weakened buildings.