Kolkata Shaken by 5.7 Quake Originating in Bangladesh
Kolkata Shaken by 5.7 Quake Originating in Bangladesh
Kolkata and West Bengal rattled as a 5.7-magnitude quake centered near Narsingdi in Bangladesh sparks evacuations and alerts; officials monitor aftershocks.
A 5.7-magnitude earthquake originated in Bangladesh and was felt across Kolkata and parts of West Bengal around 10 a.m. on Friday. The tremor, with a shallow depth of about 10 kilometers, prompted residents to rush outside and seek safety, with videos of swaying chandeliers and fans circulating online.
Official data from seismology centers place the epicenter near Narsingdi, about 40 kilometers from Dhaka. While there were no immediate reports of major casualties in Kolkata, authorities urged people to stay calm and continue safety checks at homes and offices as aftershocks could follow.
Across the city, offices evacuated, buses halted, and streets filled with residents waiting in open spaces. Social media buzzed with posts describing the jolt as brief but startling, with some users reporting tremors lasting longer than 30 seconds and others noting a faint rumble before the shaking stopped.
Experts say such quakes in the region can trigger aftershocks, and stress that preparedness helps reduce risk. Local disaster management teams conducted safety checks and inspected infrastructure in the hours after the quake, while residents are advised to secure heavy objects, stay away from windows, and monitor official updates.
The incident underscores the shared seismic risk in the region, reinforcing reminders to memorize emergency routes and keep basic supplies ready in case of aftershocks in the coming hours.
Cover image source: Panic in Kolkata after strong earthquake tremors, people rush out to streets 🔗
