Published: 07:00 PM, 22 November 2025
Earthquake: Infant killed, 15 injured in Narayanganj
A ten-month-old child named Fatema died after a wall collapsed during an earthquake in Narayanganj on Friday. The child's mother, Kulsum Begum (26), and a neighbor, Jesmin Begum (30), were among at least 15 people injured in different areas.
The earthquake also caused major cracks in the walls, staircases, and columns of numerous school buildings and other structures across the five upazilas of the district. Several buildings have visibly tilted, and many semi-paved and fully concrete structures have been damaged, according to local residents.
During the tremor, workers in various factories of the Adamjee EPZ panicked. In the rush to escape, six female workers of Ananta Washing Ltd. and one male worker of Simba Fashion Ltd. fell ill. They were first taken to the BEPZA Medical Center, where four of them received primary treatment and were sent home. The remaining three were referred to the 300-bed Khanpur Hospital in the city for further care.
According to Bangladesh Weather Observer Team, the epicenter of the earthquake was in Bholaba Union of Rupganj upazila. The quake, measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale, struck at 10:39 AM on Friday (21 November). Buildings shook violently, prompting people to run out into the streets in fear.
Local sources reported that the child Fatema died after being crushed under the boundary wall that collapsed in the Islamabagh area of Golakandail Union in Rupganj. Her mother Kulsum Begum and neighbor Jesmin Begum were seriously injured and are receiving treatment at a private hospital.
In Araihazar upazila, especially in Haizadi Union and surrounding villages, several houses were damaged as walls collapsed, injuring at least six people. One of the injured has been identified as Mohon; the others' names were not immediately available. Haizadi Union saw the most severe structural damage. In Siddhirganj of Sadar upazila, multiple school and madrasa buildings developed cracks. A wall of Siddiqia Madrasa collapsed, while City International School (Hirajhil Bangla Branch) also suffered severe cracking. At the time of the quake, more than 400 students were inside the building for a scholarship exam organized by Venus Education Society. All students were quickly evacuated to safety.
Cracks have also been reported in numerous buildings in Housing Area, Hirajhil Residential Area, Al Islam Nagar, Roni City Road No. 4 and 5. In some places, side walls broke off and fell onto adjacent tin-sheds. Anutapto Saha, a 75-year-old resident of Kashipur in Fatullah, said, "I have never felt such a terrifying tremor in my life. It was truly frightening." As the earthquake began, people ran out of multi-storied buildings in Narayanganj city and nearby areas. Industrial workers in the BSCIC zone also rushed to open spaces.
Russell Ahmed, a resident of Hirajhil Residential Area, said, "Suddenly the whole building began to sway. At first, I couldn't understand what was happening. Within seconds, cracks appeared on the walls. We grabbed the children and ran outside."
Selina Akter from Muktinagar said, "A multi-story building in Tyre Goli developed large cracks in its walls, and the tiles inside several rooms shattered. Items fell from the kitchen shelves. We were so scared that we all came outside."
Abdul Gafur of Al Islam Nagar said, "The building was swaying so much it felt like it might tilt over. After the quake stopped, we found cracks in the columns. Now I have no idea where to stay with my family."Following the incident, local administration, fire service units, and engineers launched emergency inspections to assess structural risks. Residents have been cautioned not to enter vulnerable buildings.
Locals say more buildings in surrounding areas have developed cracks and have urged authorities to conduct rapid inspections by experts to ensure safety.Abul Bashar, superintendent of the 300-bed Khanpur Hospital, stated that five panic-stricken people, including three workers from Adamjee EPZ, received treatment there.
Abdullah Al Arefin, Deputy Assistant Director of Narayanganj Fire Service and Civil Defence, said, "This is a natural disaster. By Allah's mercy, the district has been spared major devastation. Residents of multi-storied buildings should not run downstairs during an earthquake. They should stand beside structural columns or stay under staircases. Ground-floor residents may exit the building."
Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner Md. Raihan Kabir said, "Multiple teams are already in the field inspecting the cracks in various buildings to ensure safety. If any building is found unfit for habitation, residents will be evacuated. Necessary actions will be taken after declaring the structure risky."
>>Imtiaz Ahmed, AA
