Earthquake Timeline: Confusion Over Aftershocks as Tremors Hit Again and Again

Bangladesh continues to reel from Friday's 5.7-magnitude earthquake that killed at least 10 people, with a series of tremors sparking conflicting reports from officials. A 3.3-magnitude quake struck near Palash in Narsingdi this morning, followed by two back-to-back shocks in Dhaka at 6:06 pm – 3.7 and 4.3 magnitudes – fuelling fears of more aftershocks.

Here's a real-time timeline of the day's developments, based on statements from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) and USGS:

10:36 am – 3.3-magnitude tremor jolts Baipail area

A mild earthquake measuring 3.3 on the Richter scale was felt in Gazipur and parts of Dhaka.

Around 12:00 pm – First official statement sparks confusion

BMD's Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre Professional Assistant Nizamuddin Ahmed described the 3.3-magnitude event as a "minor earthquake" centred in Baipail, Gazipur. No immediate damage reported, but panic spread in the industrial hub.

12:40 pm – BMD meteorologist calls it an aftershock

Another BMD meteorologist contradicted the earlier statement, saying: “This is an aftershock of yesterday’s 5.7-magnitude quake. It measured 3.3 and was centred in Baipail. More aftershocks are possible.”

12:45 pm – Senior official denies aftershock link

Md Rubayet Kabir, Officer-in-Charge of the Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre, clarified: “Today’s tremor is a minor, independent earthquake. The epicentre is in Baipail and it was east-facing, whereas yesterday’s was north-facing – completely different in nature. It is in no way an aftershock. At present, there is no possibility of further earthquakes.”

Afternoon – BMD issues signed circular

A press release signed by Nizamuddin Ahmed revised the epicentre location: the morning tremor actually originated in Palash upazila of Narsingdi, not Gazipur – just 5 km from Friday’s main shock.

Evening 6:06 pm – Back-to-back quakes rattle Dhaka

Two tremors struck within one second:

• 6:06:04 pm – 3.7 magnitude
• 6:06:05 pm – 4.3 magnitude

BMD confirmed the epicentre was near Badda area for the first tremor, whereas the one that followed was epicentred in Narsingdi again. "These are likely aftershocks from the Narsingdi fault," urging evacuations from vulnerable buildings.

USGS Weighs In

The US Geological Survey pegged the evening quakes at 3.7 and 4.7 magnitudes, with the epicentre in Dhaka & Narsingdi – aligning with BMD's revised data.

The Bigger Picture: Fault Line Alert

All events trace back to the Madhupur Fault, a 120-km "blind" fault under Dhaka's clay basin. BUET Prof. Mehedi Ahmed Ansary called it a "1-in-50-year sequence," warning of 3.5–4.5 aftershocks for 48–72 hours.