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Grenfell Tower fire: Met Police confirm 30 dead and 12 remain critical Grenfell Tower fire: Met Police confirm 30 dead and 12 remain critical
(about 5 hours later)
Police have said the death toll from the Grenfell Tower fire has risen to 30, including at least one person who was taken to hospital but later died — and the number is expected to increase. The death toll from the Grenfell Tower fire has risen to 30 and is expected to increase further, amid fury that the scale of devastation has been understated and the disaster could have been prevented.
At least 24 people remain in hospital, including 12 in critical care, said Metropolitan Police commander Stuart Cundy. At least one of those who died had initially been taken to hospital, were 24 victims are still receiving treatment, including 12 in critical care, Metropolitan Police commander Stuart Cundy confirmed on Friday.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Mr Cundy said: “I'm able to say at this point in time at least 30 people have died as a result of this fire." Local residents have disputed the figure, claiming the true scale of death is being underplayed, with scores of protesters heard during a protest at Kensington Town Hall chanting: "Not 17".
He said the bodies have been taken to a morgue, but added that more bodies remain in the building following the fire, saying: “Sadly we do not expect there to be any survivors."  
On the cause of the fire, he said an investigation would take weeks, but added: “There is nothing to suggest at this time that the fire was started deliberately."
More than 70 people are believed to be unaccounted for since the blaze, which police fear was so devastating that some victims may never be identified.More than 70 people are believed to be unaccounted for since the blaze, which police fear was so devastating that some victims may never be identified.
When asked why it was taking so long to identify the victims, Mr Cundy said he would only give figures the police are certain about, but confirmed that everyone being treated in hospitals had been identified.​ Mr Cundy told reporters the bodies of those have been taken to a morgue, but added that more remain in the building following the fire, and that they do not  expect to find any survivors.
He said the building was in a "very hazardous state" and that it would take a period of time for "specialists, both from the police and from the London Fire Brigade, to fully search that building to make sure we locate and recover everybody that has sadly perished in that fire." Two people previously reported as missing have now been confirmed dead. Mohamad Alhajani, a 23-year old Syrian refugee, was named as the first victim of the fire on Thursday, before local artist Khadija Saye, 24, was named the following day.
When asked why it was taking so long to identify the victims, Mr Cundy said he would only give figures the police are certain about, but confirmed that everyone being treated in hospitals had been identified.​
Relatives and friends have been circulating appeals on social media in a desperate bid to locate missing loved ones, but hope has begun to wane, as anger rises over how the fire was able to cause so much devastation.
Hundreds of people gathered outside the town hall early on Friday evening demanding answers, before scores of protesters surged towards the building's entrance, apparently trying to get in.
Police said an investigation into the disaster would take weeks, but that there was nothing to suggest at this time that the fire was started deliberately.
He said the building was in a "very hazardous state" and that it would take a period of time for "specialists, both from the police and from the London Fire Brigade, to fully search that building to make sure we locate and recover everybody that has sadly perished in that fire."
An investigation led by a senior detective from Scotland Yard's homicide and major crime command is under way with calls for “corporate manslaughter” arrests to be made.An investigation led by a senior detective from Scotland Yard's homicide and major crime command is under way with calls for “corporate manslaughter” arrests to be made.
Mr Cundy vowed police “will get to the answer of what has happened and why”, adding: “If criminal offences have been committed it is us who will investigate that.”Mr Cundy vowed police “will get to the answer of what has happened and why”, adding: “If criminal offences have been committed it is us who will investigate that.”