Magnitude 5.5 Earthquake Near Narsingdi, Panic Ripples Through Dhaka

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck near Narsingdi on November 23, 2025, seismic agencies including the United States Geological Survey placed the epicenter roughly 33 kilometres from Dhaka. Local news outlets and wire agency reporting said the temblor produced intense shaking that sent thousands of residents into the streets and sparked widespread alarm across the capital.

Initial accounts from local media and AFP indicated multiple casualties and people injured in several districts surrounding the epicentre. Reports also cited damage to buildings and infrastructure, and emergency services were mobilised to search for survivors and treat the wounded. Rescue and relief operations are under way, with emergency crews conducting rapid assessments to identify the hardest hit neighbourhoods and prioritise life saving assistance.

The quake prompted an immediate public safety response in Dhaka where dense development and large concentrations of people at work and home magnified fears. Hospitals in the city received those with injuries, and local authorities moved to coordinate ambulances and first responders. Power and communications networks experienced intermittent interruptions in some areas according to initial reporting, complicating the early stages of emergency coordination.

Bangladesh sits in a complex tectonic region at the edge of the Indian plate and the Eurasian plate and while large devastating earthquakes are less frequent than in neighbouring parts of South Asia, the capital remains vulnerable. Dhaka is built on the Bengal delta, where soft soils can amplify seismic shaking, and the city’s high population density and variable building resilience increase the potential for harm when earthquakes occur. The event underscores long standing concerns about urban preparedness and the ability of services to respond quickly in densely populated environments.

Regional seismic monitoring agencies and international networks are tracking the event for potential aftershocks. Aftershocks can prolong risk to rescue teams and residents returning to damaged structures and will be a central focus of ongoing assessments. Authorities are inspecting critical infrastructure such as bridges, hospitals and water facilities to determine immediate safety hazards and to prevent secondary crises.

At this early stage there is no public indication of formal requests for international assistance. Bangladesh has established channels for humanitarian coordination through national agencies and international partners that would be used if the scale of damage exceeds domestic response capacity. Diplomats and regional partners are monitoring developments closely given the potential for disruption to commerce and civilian life in one of South Asia’s most populous capitals.

The situation is evolving and emergency officials continue to update the public as teams complete damage assessments. For now the priority remains locating and treating the injured, securing damaged structures, and stabilising essential services as aftershocks are monitored and relief operations proceed.