Thousands left homeless by fire in Bangladesh shantytown in Dhaka

Some 60,000 families, galore of them clime refugees, unrecorded successful the country which covers much than 65 hectares (160 acres).

A occurrence successful a densely populated and impoverished country successful Bangladesh’s superior Dhaka has burned oregon damaged 1,500 shanties, leaving thousands homeless, authorities say.

No casualties were reported arsenic of Wednesday, a time aft the fierce blaze broke retired astatine the Korail shantytown. According to Rashed Bin Khalid, a occurrence section officer, it took 16 hours to douse the fire, which began connected Tuesday evening.

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The occurrence service’s director, Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, said astir 1,500 ramshackle dwellings were burned oregon damaged successful the blaze, and thousands became homeless. Heavy fume blanketed the country arsenic flames engulfed the environs overnight.

According to authoritative data, immoderate 60,000 families, galore of them clime refugees, unrecorded successful the area, which covers much than 65 hectares (160 acres).

The country straddles Dhaka’s upscale Gulshan and Banani neighbourhoods, and it is surrounded by clusters of high-rise flat and bureau buildings.

On Wednesday, residents who mislaid their homes were hopeless to cod their valuables arsenic they scoured the debris. Firefighters said they struggled to scope the country due to the fact that of constrictive alleys.

Dhaka, a metropolis of 10.2 cardinal radical arsenic of 2024, has hundreds of shantytowns wherever radical from agrarian Bangladesh migrate due to the fact that of poorness and exploitation.

Climate-induced disasters besides propulsion them to the city’s poorest areas, wherever they unrecorded connected low-paid regular labour specified arsenic driving rickshaws and moving arsenic housemaids and cleaners.