A significant earthquake was experienced in Gazipur. The tremor, which struck at 10:38 am on Friday (November 21), lasted only a few seconds. As a result, buildings and homes shook violently, prompting residents of numerous high-rise structures and houses to flee to the streets in fear.
Given that it was a holiday, most garment factories were closed. However, workers from a few factories that remained open in the Chandana Chowrasta and Itahata regions of Gazipur hurried outside. Many sustained injuries while trying to navigate the stairs.
Dr. Rashedul Hasan Rana, the owner of Jalal Uddin Hospital located in the Chandana Chowrasta area of Gazipur, reported that numerous individuals experienced health issues due to the panic caused by the earthquake. Some sought treatment at Jalal Uddin Hospital.
Alea Begum, a local resident from the Bhogra area, recounted, "I was at home after preparing breakfast when suddenly the house began to shake, causing all the kitchen items to rattle. I later noticed that the cupboards and showcases in my home were also shaking. Several items fell from the showcase and shattered.
Iqbal Hossain, a local resident of the Tongi Station Road area, mentioned that a six-story building on Station Road tilted and collided with an adjacent structure, inciting panic among the building's residents.
Naznin Begum, a worker in the sewing department of the factory, stated that approximately 30 workers were injured while hastily descending from the 10-story building of the Coast to Coast Private Limited factory in the Itahata area of Gazipur metropolis. In response to the incident, factory manager Akram Hossain announced that the factory would be closed for the day. Additionally, factory workers in the areas of Tongi, Board Bazar, Konabari, Kashimpur, and Sreepur have reportedly evacuated the buildings and taken to the streets out of fear of earthquakes.
Abdul Salam Sarkar, the Deputy Director of Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Medical College, stated that between 15 to 20 individuals have arrived at the hospital from various locations within the area, suffering from minor to moderate injuries due to the earthquake.
The earthquake has resulted in cracks appearing on the 7th floor of the Fatema Tuz Zohra Madrasa located in the Gazipur metropolitan area, according to the madrasa's director, Hafez Maulana Lutfur Rahman.
Md. Mamun, the Deputy Assistant Director of Gazipur Fire Service, mentioned that they have not yet received any immediate reports of damage caused by the earthquake. Nevertheless, the fire service personnel are prepared to respond to any situation that may arise.
The earthquake, which lasted only a few seconds, unexpectedly heightened the pressure on the mobile network in Tongi, Joydevpur within the Gazipur metropolitan area, as well as in Kaliakair, Sreepur, Kaliganj, and Kapasia in the district. Alongside call drops and network instability, power outages were reported in several locations, including Konabari, Board Bazar, Chandana Chowrasta, Kodda, and Salna.
Gazipur's Deputy Commissioner, Mohammad Alam Hossain, remarked, "No significant damage has been reported in Gazipur. A few workers sustained injuries while hurrying to evacuate. The district administration team is actively monitoring the situation across various areas. Normalcy is expected to return soon.
