Earthquake : Death Toll Rises to 5

Five deaths recorded across Narsingdi following Friday morning’s earthquake have raised fresh concerns over structural safety, rural housing conditions and emergency preparedness in the region. The quake, measuring between 5.5 and 5.7, had its epicentre in Madhabdi—resulting in particularly strong shaking across Sadar, Palash and Shibpur upazilas.

Two of the deaths demonstrate the risks posed by unsafe urban construction. In Gabtali, debris from a neighbouring multi-storey building was dislodged by the tremor and fell directly onto the adjacent single-storey home of Delwar Hossain. The force of the impact caused a portion of the roof to cave in as Delwar attempted to flee with his children. Both he and his son suffered severe head injuries and later died. The incident has prompted residents to question construction oversight and safety compliance in the area.

In contrast, the fatalities in Palash highlight the vulnerabilities of traditional mud dwellings. Seventy-five-year-old Kajom Ali was unable to escape when a wall of his mud-built home collapsed. His grandchildren survived only because they fled immediately as the structure shook. The tragedy underlines the fragility of earthen homes in seismically active zones.

A separate death in Noapara occurred when 65-year-old Nasir Uddin suffered a heart attack triggered, according to doctors, by the shock and fear induced by the earthquake.

In Shibpur, the death of Forkan Mia—who fell from a tree during the tremor—illustrates the unpredictable nature of secondary hazards associated with seismic events.

Police from all affected areas have confirmed the casualties. Taken together, the incidents reveal how even a moderate earthquake can lead to multiple forms of fatality: collapsing structures, induced medical emergencies and accidental falls. Analysts argue that without urgent improvements to rural housing standards, stricter oversight of urban construction and greater public awareness of earthquake safety, similar tragedies will remain a persistent threat.