Quake Triggers Panic at Dhaka University; Sunday’s Classes and Exams Suspended

Bangladesh: Dhaka University has suspended all classes and examinations scheduled for Sunday following widespread panic among students and faculty after a series of earthquakes hit the capital Dhaka. 

The decision was announced in a press release issued by the university’s Public Relations Office on Saturday night.

According to the announcement, several students were injured while rushing down staircases in different residential halls as tremors struck the city. 

In light of these incidents and the heightened fear among teachers and students, all on-campus academic activities for 23 November have been put on hold. A revised schedule for the postponed examinations will be announced later.

Two tremors shook Dhaka within the span of a second around 6:00 pm on Saturday. During the panic that followed, students in several women’s halls hurried out of their buildings, leading to injuries. Three students from Shamsunnahar Hall, one from Bangladesh–Kuwait Maitree Hall, and one from Rokeya Hall reportedly sustained injuries while attempting to exit via the stairs.

This incident comes just a day after an earlier moderate earthquake on Friday morning, when at least four students were seriously injured after jumping from residential buildings out of fear. 

In total, reports indicate that at least 10 students have been injured at Dhaka University due to quake-related panic over the past two days. The tremors also caused plaster to fall from portions of buildings in several halls, including Mohsin Hall.