Cracks in buildings and fire at Ghorashal Power Substation due to earthquake

PNN News Desk, Narsingdi

An earthquake that struck Ghorashal in Palash Upazila, Narsingdi on Tuesday afternoon caused cracks in several buildings, and many shops in the market suffered extensive damage as goods fell from shelves. About 20 people were injured while running out in panic or from falling items.

Locals reported that the quake created chaos in Ghorashal market. Many shops’ glassware and daily goods fell and broke.

Alam Mia, a shoe shop owner, said, “My shop had shoes and other goods. When the tremor started, everything fell off the shelves and got smashed. Even the furniture was damaged. The total loss is about 600,000 taka.”

Grocery store owner Aslam Mia added that he didn’t initially understand what had happened. “I thought someone was attacking the shop. Later I realized it was an earthquake. All the glassware fell and broke,” he said.

The earthquake also caused a fire at a substation of the Ghorashal power plant. Fire services quickly controlled the fire, but some equipment in the substation was damaged, resulting in a power outage in Ghorashal, Palash, and nearby areas. The power plant authorities are trying to restore supply through alternative transmission lines.

The Marcusul Sunnah Tahfizul Quran Sunnah Madrasa on Eidgah Road in Ghorashal also suffered damage. Director Mufti Sala Uddin Ansari said, “Several areas of the six-story building developed large cracks. Students evacuated the building in panic during the quake.”

The building’s owner, Amanullah, added that all shops have been temporarily closed due to the cracks. “Shopkeepers are afraid, and no one wants to reopen yet,” he said.