Devastating Fire Destroys Homes in Dhaka's Korail Slum: Thousands Left Homeless in Bangladesh Capital

Korail, home to approximately 80,000 residents, experienced a devastating fire on Tuesday evening that swept through the densely populated slum area.

The enormous blaze engulfed one of Dhaka's largest informal settlements, destroying numerous homes and reducing tin-roofed shanties to ash and debris, according to official reports.

The fire erupted just after sunset in the capital's core, affecting Korail - widely recognized as one of Bangladesh's most populous and congested slum communities.

This settlement, housing nearly 80,000 individuals, is situated between the upscale Gulshan and Banani districts, surrounded by luxury apartment complexes. As flames illuminated the night with an orange glow and thick smoke enveloped the vicinity, residents evacuated with whatever possessions they could salvage.

Fire Service official Talha Bin Zasim confirmed that at least 19 fire engines were dispatched to combat the massive inferno.

"Our arrival was delayed by heavy traffic congestion, and once on location, the narrow pathways forced us to position the engines at a distance," he explained. Emergency responders extended hoses through the cramped alleyways and worked diligently to secure adequate water supplies, fighting the flames for more than five hours before gaining control of the situation.

The precise cause of the fire remains undetermined.

While no immediate casualties were reported, residents described the devastation as comprehensive. "I've lost everything. How will I manage to survive?" lamented Amena Begum, with tears streaming down her face as she gazed at what remained of her destroyed home.

Inadequate regulations and insufficient enforcement have frequently been identified as contributing factors in major fires throughout the South Asian nation, resulting in hundreds of fatalities in recent years.