Bangladesh’s fragile earth gave way yet again Friday, unleashing a 5.4 magnitude earthquake—the third in 40 hours—that epicentered 18 km southeast of Satkhira in Asasuni sub-district. Striking at 1:52 PM amid Jumu’ah prayers, it caught thousands off guard in mosques and homes.
Satkhira residents endured prolonged shaking, fleeing buildings in droves. Mosque-goers like Alauddin Hussain described a visceral chest punch, while groups at Kulla Beit ul Aman and Bodta Central Jame Mosques felt the world invert beneath them.
Preceding shocks included a Wednesday night 5.1 magnitude event in Dhaka and Sylhet (EMSC data) and Thursday’s 4.6 magnitude across Dhaka and beyond (Bangladesh Met Dept.). Media like UNB chronicled the rapid succession, amplifying public dread.
The Daily Star captured resident fears of it being the fiercest ever. Officials Julfikar Ali and Saeeduzzaman Emu confirmed intense vibrations from Asasuni but no damage reports. Dhaka University’s Prof. Syed Humayun Akhtar contextualized it beyond fault lines, citing a similar incident 10-12 years prior.
These tremors highlight Bangladesh’s position in a seismically volatile zone. Though no lives lost, the psychological toll is evident. Experts call for enhanced building codes and awareness, as the nation braces for potential aftershocks in this unnerving seismic spree.