Dhaka: A 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck central Bangladesh on Friday morning, killing at least six people and injuring dozens, according to authorities. The temblor caused buildings to sway across the capital, Dhaka, sending panicked residents into the streets.

Dhaka-based DBC Television reported that at least six people died in the capital: three due to the collapse of a building's roof and a wall, and three pedestrians who were crushed by falling building railings.

The earthquake struck at 10:38 a.m. local time. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) placed the epicenter in the Ghorashal area of Narsingdi district, located about 25 kilometers (16 miles) from Dhaka. Its depth was reported to be just 10 kilometers (6 miles).

The tremors from the quake were strong enough to be felt in several parts of India, including major cities in South Bengal, most notably Kolkata, on Friday morning, causing brief panic and evacuations.

Experts note that shallow earthquakes, like this one at 10 km deep, tend to cause more intense shaking on the surface because the seismic waves have a shorter distance to travel.

Videos shared on social media showed the panic in Dhaka, with visuals confirming damage, including building railings falling and structures reported to be slanted, as emergency agencies began working to assess and restore damages.

AP inputs