Rupak De Chowdhuri / Reuters

A woman is comforted by neighbors and relatives after her daughter died in a fire in a slum in Kolkata, India, on Thursday, Dec. 30. Four children died and over a hundred people lost their homes in the fire.

Rupak De Chowdhuri / Reuters

Residents sit on the remains of their burnt shanty after a fire leveled a slum in Kolkata on Thursday, Dec. 30.

Rupak De Chowdhuri / Reuters

Residents sift through debris of a burnt shanty as they search for victims after a fire at a slum in Kolkata on Thursday, Dec. 30.

These photos have been so thoughtfully described by one of our readers I'm re-posting her comment here:

JoannaK writes: "The pictures tell the story of the incredible sadness and loss......also about the compassion and cooperation of the survivors. What stands out is not the bleak background of the shanties and slum--but the quiet dignity and startling beauty of the people...outlined by the rainbow of colors. My deepest condolences to families and the community."