Table of Contents
- Introduction
- What Happened
- Key Details: Epicenter and Impact
- Impact on India
- Reactions on X
- Background: Why Bangladesh Is Earthquake-Prone
- Key Points
- Summary
Introduction
A powerful 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck near Dhaka, Bangladesh on Friday morning, November 21, 2025, sending tremors across Kolkata and eastern India.
The seismic event, which originated 13 kilometers south-southwest of Narsingdi at 10:08 AM, left at least 10 people dead and over 65 injured in Bangladesh. Residents in Kolkata reported intense shaking lasting up to 30 seconds, forcing thousands to evacuate buildings in panic.
What Happened
At 10:08 AM IST on Friday, a 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck Bangladesh’s Narsingdi district, approximately 50 kilometers from the capital Dhaka. The quake occurred at a shallow depth of just 10 kilometers, amplifying its impact across the region.
Within minutes, tremors rippled through West Bengal, with Kolkata residents experiencing what many described as “the most intense earthquake” of their lives. The shallow depth meant seismic waves traveled a shorter distance to reach the surface, producing stronger shaking.
“I think I just experienced the most intense earthquake of my life; Kolkata was shuddering like a fragile plastic tunnel,” one resident posted on X. Another user shared, “My building shook for 30 seconds and it was very powerful.”
Key Details: Epicenter and Impact
The earthquake’s epicenter was located in Narsingdi, Bangladesh, approximately 27 kilometers east of Tungi. The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) confirmed the magnitude at 5.7 on the Richter scale.
In Bangladesh, the devastation was immediate. A building railing in Bongshal, Dhaka, collapsed during the tremor, killing three pedestrians. In total, at least 10 people lost their lives in Bangladesh, with over 65 others suffering injuries.
According to Bangladesh’s Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), 10 injured were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, while another 10 were admitted to Gazipur’s Tajuddin Medical College Hospital. At Narsingdi District Hospital, 45 people were hospitalized, with three in critical condition.
Impact on India: Kolkata’s 30-Second Ordeal
Around 10:10 AM, Kolkata residents felt the ground shake beneath their feet. High-rise buildings swayed noticeably, prompting office workers and families to rush outdoors. Social media was flooded with videos showing hanging lights swinging and furniture rattling.
Tremors were felt across Kolkata and several West Bengal districts including Cooch Behar, Malda, Nadia, Dakshin Dinajpur, and Uttar Dinajpur. Cities in Northeast India—including Guwahati, Agartala, and Shillong—also reported mild to moderate shaking.
“Everyone rushed down the staircases—it was chaos. Children were crying and people were terrified,” said one Dhaka resident whose experience echoed that of many Kolkata residents. Fortunately, no structural damage or injuries were reported in West Bengal.
Reactions on X (Twitter)
Within minutes of the earthquake, #KolkataEarthquake and #EarthquakeToday began trending on X. Users shared their experiences and videos of the moment tremors hit.
“That #earthquake lasted over 30 seconds and was very powerful #Kolkata,” one user wrote. “Buildings were shaking like trees—never felt anything this intense before,” another posted. “Stay safe Kolkata! This was scary,” tweeted a concerned resident.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board’s ongoing Test match between Bangladesh and Ireland in Dhaka was also briefly halted. Players and spectators evacuated the stadium momentarily before play resumed after a few minutes with no damage reported.
Background: Why Bangladesh Is Earthquake-Prone
Bangladesh sits at the junction of three major tectonic plates—the Indian, Eurasian, and Burma plates. The Indian plate moves northeast at approximately 6 centimeters per year, while the Eurasian plate shifts north at roughly 2 centimeters annually. This constant tectonic activity creates immense pressure along fault lines.
The country is crisscrossed by several major fault lines, including the Bogura, Tripura, Dauki, and Assam faults, as well as the Shillong Plateau, placing it within 13 earthquake-prone zones. High-risk areas include Chattogram, the Chattogram Hill Tracts, and Jaintiapur in Sylhet.
Dhaka, with a population density exceeding 30,000 people per square kilometer, ranks among the 20 most earthquake-vulnerable cities globally. The dense urban infrastructure and high population concentration make even moderate quakes particularly dangerous.
Shallow earthquakes like Friday’s event produce stronger shaking because seismic waves travel a shorter distance to the surface. Globally, earthquakes occur roughly every 30 seconds, though most are too minor to be noticed.
Key Points
- Magnitude: 5.7 on the Richter scale (some sources report 5.5)
- Epicenter: Narsingdi, Bangladesh, 50 km from Dhaka
- Depth: 10 kilometers (shallow quake)
- Time: 10:08 AM IST, November 21, 2025
- Deaths: 10 in Bangladesh (3 from building railing collapse)
- Injuries: Over 65 in Bangladesh
- India Impact: Tremors felt in Kolkata, West Bengal, and Northeast India
- Duration: 20-30 seconds of shaking reported
- Affected Areas: Kolkata, Cooch Behar, Malda, Nadia, Guwahati, Agartala, Shillong
Summary
The 5.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Bangladesh’s Narsingdi district on Friday morning sent shockwaves across eastern India, particularly Kolkata, where residents experienced intense tremors lasting up to 30 seconds. The shallow depth of the quake—just 10 kilometers—amplified its impact, causing buildings to shake violently and forcing thousands to evacuate.
In Bangladesh, the disaster claimed at least 10 lives and injured over 65 people, with the most severe damage occurring in Dhaka where a building railing collapsed onto pedestrians. The event serves as a stark reminder of the region’s seismic vulnerability, particularly for densely populated cities like Dhaka and Kolkata.
While India escaped without casualties or major structural damage, the psychological impact on Kolkata’s residents was significant. Videos shared on social media captured the fear and urgency as people rushed out of high-rises and office buildings.
Authorities in both countries have urged residents to remain calm and vigilant. Muhammad Yunus, chief advisor of Bangladesh’s interim administration, called on citizens to stay alert and avoid misinformation. As the region continues to assess the damage, scientists emphasize the importance of earthquake preparedness in tectonically active zones where the Indian, Eurasian, and Burma plates meet.
The earthquake disrupted normal life briefly, with people gathering in open spaces until authorities confirmed there was no immediate danger. High-rise buildings in Kolkata swayed for what felt like an eternity to those inside, with many describing it as the most terrifying earthquake experience they’d ever had.
The tremors also highlighted the need for better earthquake preparedness infrastructure in the region. With Bangladesh sitting at the convergence of three major tectonic plates, such seismic events are not uncommon, though their intensity and shallow depth made this one particularly memorable for millions across eastern India and Bangladesh.
