• At least 10 people have died as a result of a severe earthquake in Bangladesh.
• The 5.7-magnitude quake struck near Dhaka, injuring hundreds and causing significant panic.
• Aftershocks continue to create fear among residents in affected areas.

A powerful 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck Bangladesh on Friday, resulting in at least 10 fatalities and injuring hundreds more. The tremor, recorded at 10:38 a.m. local time, had an epicenter near Narsingdi, approximately 33 kilometers from Dhaka. Eyewitnesses reported that the earthquake triggered widespread panic as residents rushed from buildings to seek safety in the streets, leading to chaotic scenes in the densely populated capital. The casualties included children and individuals in various districts across the country, according to channelnewsasia, scmp, bbc, and aa.

In the aftermath, government officials reported that among the dead were several individuals caught by collapsing buildings, particularly in Dhaka where the panic led to injuries during stampedes as students and residents attempted to escape. Muhammad Yunus, head of the interim government, indicated that rescue operations were initiated to assist those in need and manage the damage effectively, echoing sentiments from local officials on the urgency of the situation. "Everyone was terrified; we have never experienced such a tremor," said a resident recounting the chaotic moments during the quake, as indicated by channelnewsasia, aljazeera, and scmp.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department warned of aftershocks, noting that the initial quake was significant enough to warrant ongoing concern among the population. “It’s common to experience aftershocks after a major earthquake; however, for many, the fear persists that a bigger quake could follow," said Rubayet Kabir from the department. Reports confirmed that buildings across various districts suffered damage, which could complicate rescue efforts, according to bbc, aa, and aljazeera.

Initial reports indicated that many individuals were injured from falling debris and collapsing structures, particularly in crowded urban areas. The government has activated an emergency operation center to coordinate rescue plans and assess damages more effectively while the country grapples with the aftermath of this natural disaster, as noted by multiple outlets including channelnewsasia and aa.