Dhaka, Nov. 21 -- Geologist Dr Syed Humayun Akhter has described the earthquake that jolted Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh on Friday as the strongest to strike the country in recent years.

The 5.7-magnitude tremor was centred in Narsingdi's Madhabdi, around 13km from Dhaka, at a depth of 10km. The shaking lasted roughly 26 seconds and sent people rushing onto the streets in panic.

"The earthquake occurred at the junction of two plates on the Indo-Burma tectonic plate. The intensity of the tremors was quite high. There was a lot of damage," said Dr Humayun, a retired professor and former supervisor of Dhaka University's Earth Observatory.

"This is the strongest tremor felt in the country in recent times."

At least six people, incl...