Fire Destroys 1,500 Shanties in Dhaka's Korail Slum

A massive fire swept through the Korail slum in Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka, on Tuesday evening, destroying or damaging around 1,500 shanties and leaving thousands of residents homeless, authorities reported Wednesday. The blaze, which produced heavy smoke and flames visible across the area, was brought under control after 16 hours, with no casualties recorded.

The fire broke out shortly after sunset in the densely packed Korail neighborhood, one of Dhaka's largest informal settlements spanning more than 65 hectares. Officials from the Department of Fire Service and Civil Defense dispatched at least 19 fire engines to the scene. Rashed Bin Khalid, a duty officer with the department, said the response was hampered by heavy traffic and narrow alleys that prevented vehicles from entering the heart of the slum. Firefighters had to drag hoses through the cramped pathways and secure water supplies on site, prolonging the effort to contain the inferno.

Lt. Col. Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, the fire services director, confirmed that approximately 1,500 ramshackle dwellings made of tin and other flammable materials were affected, forcing thousands from their homes overnight. Residents...