10 Killed in Fire at Unauthorized Homeless Shelter in Brazil

AFP/APP

Rio de Janeiro: A devastating fire at a makeshift homeless shelter in southern Brazil has claimed at least 10 lives, highlighting concerns over the safety of vulnerable communities living in unauthorized facilities.

The blaze broke out early Friday at a former hotel in Porto Alegre that had been converted into temporary accommodation for homeless people but was reportedly operating without official approval, according to the Rio Grande do Sul state fire department.

Emergency responders recovered 10 bodies from the three-storey building, while forensic teams arrived at the scene to identify the victims and determine the cause of the fire.

The fire erupted around 2:00 am local time, trapping residents inside as flames quickly spread through the structure. Firefighters deployed multiple trucks and dozens of personnel to bring the blaze under control.

Rio Grande do Sul Governor Eduardo Leite expressed grief over the tragedy, saying authorities would focus on supporting victims’ families and investigating the circumstances that led to the deadly incident.

Porto Alegre Mayor Sebastiao Melo said several injured people were rescued and transported to hospitals, with local media reporting at least 11 people were injured, some in critical condition.

Images from the scene showed the building engulfed in flames as emergency crews worked through the night, raising fresh questions over safety standards and oversight of informal shelters for homeless populations.