Devastating fire leaves thousands homeless in Dhaka's Korail shantytown

"A devastating fire swept through Dhaka's sprawling Korail shantytown, destroying or damaging some 1,500 shanties and reducing tin-roofed dwellings to smouldering ruins, officials reported. The inferno, which erupted on Tuesday evening, required 16 hours to extinguish, according to Rashed Bin Khalid, a duty officer at the fire department. Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, the fire service's director, confirmed approximately 1,500 shanties were burned or damaged, leaving thousands without shelter."

"Official records indicate about 60,000 families many displaced by climate disasters inhabit this 65-hectare (160-acre) shantytown. Korail sits adjacent to Dhaka's affluent Gulshan and Banani districts, surrounded by modern high-rise developments. Dense smoke enveloped the area as flames consumed dwellings throughout the night. By Wednesday, displaced residents desperately sifted through debris, attempting to salvage their belongings. Firefighters reported difficulty accessing the blaze due to the area's narrow pathways."

"Dense smoke enveloped the area as flames consumed dwellings throughout the night. By Wednesday, displaced residents desperately sifted through debris, attempting to salvage their belongings. Firefighters reported difficulty accessing the blaze due to the area's narrow pathways. Dhaka, home to 10.2 million people as of 2024, contains hundreds of informal settlements populated by rural migrants fleeing poverty, exploitation, and climate-related calamities. Those living there typically survive on daily wages earned as rickshaw drivers, housemaids, and cleaners."

An inferno erupted Tuesday evening in Korail shantytown and took 16 hours to extinguish. Approximately 1,500 shanties were burned or damaged, leaving thousands without shelter. The 65-hectare settlement houses about 60,000 families, many displaced by climate disasters. Dense smoke enveloped the area as flames consumed tin-roofed dwellings, and narrow pathways hindered firefighters' access. Displaced residents sifted through debris to salvage belongings. Korail sits beside affluent Gulshan and Banani, surrounded by high-rise developments. Dhaka, home to 10.2 million people, contains hundreds of informal settlements where migrants survive on daily wages as rickshaw drivers, housemaids, and cleaners.

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