A 5.7-magnitude earthquake, felt across Dhaka and nearby districts this morning, triggered visible cracks in six recently built ten-storey residential halls at Jahangirnagar University, intensifying long-standing concerns over construction quality.
The sudden appearance of fractures on floors, walls and washroom areas left many residents startled and worried about the structural integrity of the buildings.
Students from the Nazrul Islam Hall recalled the frightening moments as the tremors struck. Saurav, a student who was on the sixth floor at the time, said the building shook violently for nearly 15 seconds.
“Everyone rushed down the stairs in panic. After reaching the ground floor, we noticed cracks in several spots, which only deepened our anxiety,” he said.
Minutes after the earthquake stopped, residents of the new halls evacuated to open areas. Students said that allegations of irregularities and substandard construction have existed since the halls were built three years ago, and the latest development has renewed their fears over safety.
They demanded an immediate investigation, identification of those responsible, a reassessment of all dormitory structures, and urgent steps to ensure safety.
Although calm gradually returned to the campus, unease lingered among students who questioned the robustness of the university’s infrastructure and the transparency of its development projects.
Speaking about the issue, Vice-Chancellor Professor Kamrul Ahsan said the halls had been constructed under the previous administration and that complaints regarding irregularities were not new.
He noted that an initial assessment of the damage is already underway. The engineering division has been asked to carry out urgent inspections, while a team of specialists has been engaged to examine the nature of the cracks.
The university authorities stated that they are closely monitoring the situation and prioritising the safety of all residential students.
