Dhaka Polytechnic students spend night outdoors after earthquake, aftershocks

Their hall, with cracks in walls and roof beams, has been declared “risky” in June

Dhaka Polytechnic Institute students have left one of their residential halls to spend the night on the street after an earthquake and several aftershocks left them too scared to live in their dilapidated hall.

Refusing to stay in their hall, students of Latif Hostel first descended on the street with beds to pass the night there, causing a series of events.

The authorities soon issued an order asking students to evacuate four halls of the institute.

Students have announced they will boycott classes and exams unless the authorities make emergency arrangements for their safe accommodation.

The Education Engineering Department had announced in June a part of the Latif Hostel “risky”, recommending its renovation. The recommendation was never followed.

“The hall built 70 to 80 years ago already had numerous cracks. Fresh cracks appeared after the Friday earthquake,” said Ramzan Ali, a resident student of the hostel.

He said they came down on the street after 8pm.

A team of inspectors from the EED had visited the hostel in the afternoon, reiterating their opinion of the building not being in good shape structurally.

The institute’s Principal Sahela Parveen could not be reached over the phone for a comment.

In a notice, the DPI ordered students of all four of its halls to evacuate. The notice also said the midterm exam and classes will remain suspended until further notice.

“We found the building constructed 70 years ago vulnerable. Beams on the fourth floor of the building have cracks, while plaster came off of the roof in many places, baring reinforcing bars,” said SM Shafin Hasan, executive engineer, EED.

The fourth floor had been declared risky in June, he said.

A 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck Bangladesh on Friday morning, claiming 10 lives and causing widespread damage to infrastructure. Many buildings developed cracks across Bangladesh, while some buildings tilted.

Described as the strongest in several decades, the quake originated within 33km of Dhaka, rattled the entire Bangladesh. The quake was followed by several aftershocks on Saturday.

In many areas, including Badda and Bhatara, people were seen ready with packed bags at the main entrance to their apartment buildings to run for shelter if another shock comes.

“We heard another earthquake was coming. We are ready to run at the right time,” said Sangita Saha, a resident of north Badda.

Many people were accompanied by children, who were trying hard to keep their eyes open as the hands of the clock struck 11pm.

A similar scene reportedly unfolded in Bhatara at night.