C T Online Desk: Shakhawat Sabbir | Special Correspondent : Bangladesh experienced three mild to moderate earthquakes within a span of only 13 hours, triggering concern among residents despite the relatively low magnitudes of the tremors.
According to the national earthquake monitoring centres, the series of quakes began shortly after midnight on Thursday. Between 3:00 am and 4:30 pm, three separate tremors were recorded across different regions of the country, each originating from nearby seismic zones.
The first quake struck at 3:29 am, originating 118 kilometres off Teknaf in the Bay of Bengal. With a magnitude of 4.0, the tremor was lightly felt in Teknaf town. Data from Volcano Discovery indicated that the shaking was too slight for most residents to notice. While the site did not provide depth information, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) estimated the depth at 10 kilometres.
Just over a minute later, at 3:30:49 am, a second quake was recorded in Sylhet, measuring 3.4 on the Richter scale. The Sylhet Meteorological Office confirmed that the epicentre was located in Manipur, India, and the tremor passed largely unnoticed due to its low intensity.
The third and most widely felt quake occurred on Thursday afternoon at 4:40 pm, shaking Dhaka and several surrounding districts. EMSC later updated that the tremor, measuring 3.6, was detected at 4:15:47 pm. Authorities reported no immediate damage or casualties.
These incidents come just days after the 21 November earthquake that rocked the entire country, killing 10 people, including a child, and injuring over 600. That stronger quake measured 5.0 on the Richter scale and caused significant panic.
Officials advised the public to remain alert but not alarmed, noting that Bangladesh lies within an active seismic zone where mild tremors are not unusual. Further assessments are underway.
