Bangladesh earthquake: DU shuts down; JnU halts classes for a day

DHAKA: Dhaka University (DU) will remain closed for two weeks as authorities move to evaluate earthquake-related risks following the third tremor in Bangladesh since Friday morning.

According to Bangladeshi publication, The Daily Star, the shutdown will allow engineers to inspect all residential halls and carry out essential repairs, officials announced late Saturday.

Meanwhile, Jagannath University (JnU), citing similar safety concerns, has suspended all classes and examinations for today.

The DU Syndicate, in an emergency meeting last night, ordered students to vacate their residence halls by 5:00 PM today (local time). The directive came after protests by residents of Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall, many of whom demanded safer accommodation amid growing fears about the structural integrity of their halls.

Shortly after midnight, dozens of female students gathered outside the 20-storey Swadhinota Bhaban, housing designated for university employees, seeking shelter. Students from Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall had already moved into 33 of the building’s vacant units since Friday’s 5.7-magnitude quake rattled Dhaka and sparked widespread panic.

Nishita Zaman, vice-president of the Maitree Hall Union, said tensions escalated when some students attempted to break open unused rooms in the building. Many residents said they had no choice but to move for their own safety, accusing the university of ignoring repeated warnings about deteriorating halls.

“This issue has been ongoing for years,” said third-year student Md Ramzan, who hurriedly relocated to the staff quarters late Saturday. “We raised the alarm months ago. After the quake, the risk became too great to ignore.”

Fourth-year student Robiul Islam said students live with constant fear. “You go to bed unsure whether the ceiling might collapse. If staff quarters are this secure, why must we stay in unsafe halls, especially when many staff don’t even live in their assigned flats?”

According to a DU press release, all academic activities are suspended until December 6. The university will conduct a full structural inspection of every hall, guided by assessments from Buet engineers and DU’s Planning and Development Office.

The Syndicate said the decision was made with students’ physical and mental wellbeing in mind, following repeated tremors and ongoing aftershocks.

At Jagannath University, Vice-Chancellor Prof Rezaul Karim said the recent quakes have created widespread anxiety on campus. JnU classes and exams will be paused today, though activities related to the JnUCSU election will proceed.

Yesterday’s two tremors bring the total to three in just 32 hours. The powerful quake sequence has left at least 10 people dead across several regions, including in Dhaka.