Aftershock Compounds Fears in Bangladesh After Deadly Quake Claims 10 Lives
Bangladesh, a nation of 170 million people, was jolted by a low-magnitude tremor on November 22, a day after a more powerful 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck outside its capital, Dhaka. This initial, stronger quake on November 21 resulted in a tragic death toll of at least 10 people and left several hundred injured, as confirmed by disaster management official Ishtiaqe Ahmed. The widespread destruction included the collapse of an eight-story building's railing in Dhaka, visually capturing the quake's immediate impact.
Minor Tremor Amplifies Public Anxiety
The subsequent tremor on November 22, registering 3.3 on the Richter scale, occurred at 10:36 AM local time (12:36 PM Singapore time). Its epicenter was identified in Ashulia, situated just north of Dhaka, according to Mr. Omar Faruq of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. While such aftershocks are a common phenomenon following significant seismic events, for many Bangladeshi residents, this latest jolt has amplified existing anxieties about the potential for an even greater catastrophe.
Personal Accounts of Fear and Damage
The palpable fear among the populace is evident. Ms. Shahnaj Parvin, a 44-year-old living near the epicenter of the November 21 earthquake, recounted her terrifying experience to AFP. “I don’t feel safe yet, as there was another jolt this morning in Ashulia. Maybe we are next,” she expressed, adding that she had never before felt such a tremor. The severe impact on her community included dozens of houses developing cracks and her own glassware shattering from the force, describing how she had to hold onto a mahogany tree during the initial jolt.
Government Mobilizes for Relief Efforts
In response to the escalating crisis, the Bangladeshi government has activated its emergency operation center. This initiative aims to comprehensively assess the damage inflicted across affected regions and to meticulously coordinate critical relief and rescue operations, ensuring a rapid and organized response.
Bangladesh's Inherent Seismic Vulnerability
Experts from the Meteorological Department's Earthquake Observation and Research Center, like Mr. Rubayet Kabir, emphasize Bangladesh's inherent geological vulnerability. “Bangladesh's geography makes the country prone to quakes. That’s why we experience earthquakes quite frequently, though they are not as strong as the one” on November 21, he stated. While acknowledging that “small tremors are expected after any major earthquake,” Mr. Kabir also highlighted a concerning historical context: “There has been no massive earthquake in the last 100 years or more, but Bangladesh has been vulnerable for quite some time.” This ongoing seismic activity serves as a stark reminder of the nation's precarious position on the Earth's tectonic plates.