Panic in Narsingdi During Earthquake: Three Seriously Injured as Roof Collapses, 62 Seek Medical Care

Three people, including two children, were seriously injured when the roof of a single-storey house collapsed during the earthquake in Narsingdi. The incident occurred on Friday morning at a house adjacent to a women’s madrasa in the Gabtali area of Chinishpur Union under the Sadar upazila. In addition, 59 others, who suffered minor injuries, fainting, or panic attacks, sought treatment at Narsingdi Sadar Hospital and the district hospital, according to medical staff.

The seriously injured are the house’s resident Md Delwar (37) and his two children, Tasfia (17) and Omar (9). After receiving initial treatment at Narsingdi Sadar Hospital, the three were sent to Dhaka in critical condition.

Locals reported that construction materials fell from the roof of an adjacent multi-storey building during the quake and struck the single-storey house, causing part of its roof to collapse. At that moment, Delwar, Tasfia, and Omar were attempting to exit the house, and were struck by falling materials and debris, leaving them severely injured.

With the help of locals, the injured were quickly taken to Narsingdi Sadar Hospital. Emergency doctors provided initial treatment and advised that they be transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. The family later departed for Dhaka by ambulance.

Farida Gulshanara Kabir, the Residential Medical Officer (RMO) at Narsingdi Sadar Hospital, stated that the condition of the father and son was critical, and they were referred to Dhaka for advanced treatment. She added that another 46 people had come to the hospital with injuries sustained while running to safety during the quake. Some had fainted, while others experienced panic attacks.

ANM Mizanur Rahman, the superintendent of the 100-bed Narsingdi District Hospital, said that 13 people injured during the chaos were treated at the emergency department. None of them were in critical condition.

The earthquake was felt at 10:38 am on Friday. Tremors were experienced in various parts of the country. The epicentre was located in Madhabdi, Narsingdi. According to the Meteorological Department, the magnitude was 5.7, while the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported it as 5.5 on the Richter scale.

As the ground shook suddenly, multi-storey buildings and other structures swayed. The brief tremor caused widespread panic, prompting people to rush outdoors to open spaces or roads.

Many residents of Narsingdi described their experiences on Facebook, posting photos showing cracks in walls and floors, as well as scattered household items.

Salauddin Ansari, director of the Markasul Sunnah Tahfizul Quran Madrasa on Eidgah Road in Ghorashal municipality of Palash, said that four to five spots in their six-storey building had developed cracks, leaving students frightened.

Poonam Saha, a resident of the Madhyakandapara area of Narsingdi town, said she had never seen a building sway like this before. She rushed downstairs with her family in fear.

Khaborwala/SS