Dhaka Archbishop Mourns Victims of Deadly Earthquake in Bangladesh

Bangladesh was rocked by its strongest earthquake in decades on the morning of November 21, leaving at least 10 people dead and more than 600 injured across the country. The powerful tremor tilted multi-storey buildings, broke railings, and caused walls to collapse, sparking panic among residents who rushed into the streets in fear.

According to the Meteorological Department, the earthquake struck at 10:38 a.m. with a magnitude of 5.7 on the Richter scale. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a slightly lower magnitude of 5.5. The epicenter was Madhavadi in Narsingdi district, central Bangladesh, about 10 kilometers below the surface, and the shaking lasted for 26 seconds.

Among the victims, four were in Dhaka, five in Narsingdi, and one in Narayanganj. Authorities said the quake caused significant structural damage in several areas, raising concerns about the safety of buildings in the country’s densely populated cities.

Archbishop Shares His Experience

Archbishop Bejoy N. D’Cruze, OMI, of Dhaka, who also serves as President of the Bangladesh Catholic Bishops’ Conference, recounted his experience of the earthquake, which struck while the 2025 Pastoral Assembly was in session at the Archbishop’s House in Ramna, Dhaka.

“Yesterday morning, about 250 Christians were gathered in the hall. Suddenly, I heard a loud noise, and the electricity went out. I saw the building shaking. Some were running around and saying that there was an earthquake,” Archbishop D’Cruze told RVA.

Expressing deep sorrow, he said, “On behalf of the Christian community, I pray for the eternal peace of the souls of those who died in yesterday’s powerful earthquake. I offer my deepest condolences and comfort to their families. And I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured and receiving treatment.”

The Archbishop urged authorities and citizens to take preventive measures. “No building should be constructed outside the original plan. If buildings are not constructed according to the building code, there will be fear. These earthquakes are signals of a major earthquake. Again, a major earthquake can occur at any time. If that happens, the damage can be even greater. Therefore, I request the government to identify risky buildings and take appropriate measures. We all have to be aware.”

Government Response

Chief Advisor Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus expressed grief over the casualties and damage caused by the earthquake. In a condolence message, he prayed for the eternal peace of the deceased and extended sympathy to the bereaved families. He also directed authorities to intensify rescue operations and ensure medical care for the injured.

“The government is closely monitoring the situation and has taken steps to collect a full report of the damage,” Yunus said.

Another Tremor Adds to Fear

Less than 24 hours after Friday’s devastating quake, another tremor was felt on November 22 morning in Narsingdi. The Meteorological Department reported that the second earthquake occurred at 10:36 a.m. with a magnitude of 3.3 on the Richter scale. No major damage was reported, but the back-to-back tremors have heightened public anxiety.

Initially, officials believed the epicenter of Saturday’s (Nov 22) quake was in Gazipur, about 26 kilometers north of Dhaka. However, updated data confirmed that the origin was Palash in Narsingdi, close to Madhavadi, the source of Friday’s (Nov 21) earthquake.

Experts warn that the recent quakes underscore the urgent need for strict enforcement of building codes and disaster preparedness in Bangladesh, where rapid urbanization has often outpaced safety regulations.