Bangladesh Struggles as Earthquake Casualties Increase

Dhaka, Bangladesh – The death toll from the 5.5-magnitude earthquake that struck Bangladesh on Friday has now reached 10, with injuries reported in the hundreds. A low-magnitude tremor occurred Saturday morning, intensifying fears among the local communities.

This minor quake, registered at 3.3 on the Richter scale, jolted Ashulia, located north of Dhaka, at 10:36 am local time according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. While this tremor was less severe than the previous day, it nonetheless unsettled residents and exacerbated anxiety across the capital.

In Ashulia and nearby areas, numerous homes already compromised by the initial quake are now revealing further cracks. The morning was spent by residents on salvaging items and assessing the structural integrity of their homes. Shahnaj Parvin, 44, shared her experience of holding onto a mahogany tree during the tremor and returning to find her home in disarray, with shattered glassware and damaged walls.

In response, the government activated its emergency operations center to determine the extent of the devastation and to organize rescue and relief initiatives. Despite no additional casualties reported from the Saturday tremor, it highlighted Bangladesh’s vulnerability to seismic threats.

Experts warn that Bangladesh's geographical setting renders it susceptible to frequent earthquakes. Though minor aftershocks typically follow significant earthquakes, the combination of high population density, aging infrastructure, and inadequate emergency preparedness raises public alarm.