UAE expresses solidarity with Bangladesh, offers condolences over victims of quake

The UAE has expressed its sincere condolences and solidarity with the People’s Republic of Bangladesh over the victims of an earthquake that struck the center of the country, which resulted in a number of deaths and injuries.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy with the families of the victims, and the interim government and people of Bangladesh over this tragedy, as well as its wishes for a speedy recovery for all the injured.

Earlier, two minor tremors hit Bangladesh, a day after a powerful earthquake struck outside the capital Dhaka and killed at least 10 people.

A 3.3-magnitude jolt was recorded in Narshingdi district, east of Dhaka, in the morning, followed by a 4.3-magnitude quake that struck the capital around 6:00 pm (1200 GMT), according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.

Dhaka resident Tasnuba Sharmin Sharna, 32, said her children started screaming as the furniture in their apartment began shaking. "We are praying to God for mercy," Sharna told AFP.

Friday's deadly earthquake was felt in Dhaka and neighbouring districts, causing widespread destruction.

Updating earlier tolls from the 5.5-magnitude quake, disaster management official Ishtiaqe Ahmed told AFP that "the number of casualties has reached 10, while a few hundreds were injured."

There were no immediate reports of casualties on Saturday, but the aftershocks — which are common after major earthquakes — have added to fears of an even greater disaster.

"I don't feel safe yet, as there was another jolt this morning... Maybe we are next," said Shahnaj Parvin, 44, who lives near the epicentre of Friday's earthquake and told AFP she had never experienced such a tremor. Cracks have developed in dozens of houses in her area, she said.

WAM / AFP