Dhaka, Nov. 23 -- Bangladesh has suspended all oil and gas drilling activities for 48 hours following a string of earthquakes that rattled much of the country over the weekend.

The state-run energy agency Petrobangla announced the move on Sunday, citing public safety concerns and the need to prevent potential damage to drilling equipment and personnel.

A 5.7-magnitude earthquake shook Dhaka and several districts on Friday morning, followed by another moderate tremor on Saturday and two smaller aftershocks later in the evening. The jolts prompted geologists to advise a temporary halt to deep drilling operations.

In a statement, Petrobangla said all drilling and seismic survey work would remain suspended until 8am on Nov 25.

"If conditi...