6 dead as shallow M5.5 earthquake hits near Dhaka, Bangladesh, tremors felt in Kolkata, India
At least 6 deaths have been reported in Dhaka after a strong M5.5 earthquake hit Bangladesh on November 21, 2025. Tremors from the quake were felt as far as Kolkata and parts of eastern India.
Epicenter of M5.5 earthquake in Dhaka, Bangladesh on November 21, 2025. Credit: TW/SAM, Google
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M5.5 hit near Dhaka, Bangladesh, at 04:38 UTC on November 21. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).
The National Center for Seismology (NCS), India, reported a slightly higher magnitude of M5.7 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).
According to NCS data, the epicenter was about 10 km (6.2 miles) ESE of Dhaka, 180 km (111.8 miles) WSW of Dharmanagar (Tripura, India), 196 km (121.8 miles) S of Tura (Meghalaya, India), and 221 km (137.3 miles) W of Aizawl (Mizoram, India).
The Dhaka-based broadcaster DBC Television reported that at least six people died in Dhaka, Bangladesh — three when a building’s roof and wall collapsed, and three pedestrians when railings from another building fell on them during the shaking.
Tremors from the quake were felt as far as Kolkata, and other parts of West Bengal, including Dakshin and Uttar Dinajpur, and Cooch Behar, along with other states, including Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though resistant structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are adobe block with wood and rubble or field stone masonry construction. Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses.
The USGS issued an Orange alert for shaking-related fatalities, indicating significant casualties are likely and the disaster may be widespread.
Past events with this alert level have required a regional or national-level response. A Yellow alert was issued for economic losses. Some damage is possible, and estimated economic losses are less than 1% of GDP of Bangladesh.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
References:
1 M5.5 earthquake near Dhaka, Bangladesh — USGS — November 21, 2025
2 M5.5 earthquake near Dhaka, Bangladesh — EMSC — November 21, 2025
3 M5.7 earthquake — NCS — November 21, 2025
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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