Fire in Bangladesh

[Skeletor]

Hello.
My name is Joerg Engels a 25years old student of photography from Germany, visiting Bangladesh at the moment.
During my stay in Dhaka, the Capital City, I witnessed a tragedy... I was nearby when a fire broke out in a poor quarter in Old Dhaka, Gonoktuli.
Due to the way the huts were built the fire spread rapidly. In panic and chaos the habitants tried to save themselves and the few goods they own. Many people were not able to do the second, because the fire already destroyed their homes. I estimate that about 30 families lost everything (the little) they owned.
After the fire was under control, I decided to return to the place frequently to see how the victims deal with this situation, starting again from point zero without any help from outside.
Even at this point of their lives the people of Bangladesh were very hospitality and wanted to share their food with me, although they have a lack of it for their own.

http://helpgonoktuli.blogspot.com/

 

[Skeletor]

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[photorat]

Very moving photographs, Joerg. Well done. It must have been difficult both emotionally and professionally under such conditions. I would be interested to know how you approached the task, how the people reacted to your being there (and taking photographs) and how you dealt with those reactions.

 

[Monz]

Thank you for posting Joerg. Very sad and moving pictures. :-(

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Ahhh, that's awful, I feel terrible for those people. Your photos are very good.

 

[Skeletor]

Thanks for your reactions.

I would be interested to know how you approached the task, how the people reacted to your being there (and taking photographs) and how you dealt with those reactions.

While I was taking the photos during the burning i asked myself what i was doing, being a kind of shocked from myself. Of course morality questions occured in my mind, but the people were telling me to take photographs of their tragedy. They have an interest that people see what happen to them.
When i visited the place of destruction several times after, the peoples always offered me Tea and Food. The hearts of Bangladesh are very big. Even at this point of there lives theit hospitality is endless.

 

[Pherdinand]

great series. Great work.
I don't know how this post escaped my attention twice ... once 2 weeks ago and once 1 week ago. I'm glad i've seen it now.

 

[35mmdelux]

sadly, these kinds of tragedies are far too routine in the third world. one wonders how humanity allows such abject poverty to exist?