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Authorities in the United Kingdom have said that the death toll in the London Grenfell Tower block fire has risen to at least 30 and police are considering whether criminal offences had been committed.
“We know that at least 30 people have died as a result of this fire,” said Commander Stuart Cundy, adding that the figure was still expected to rise. He added that 24 people were still in hospital and 12 were receiving critical care. “The investigation will look into what criminal offences may have been committed,” Cundy said.
In a related development, facing increasing criticism for not meeting locals sooner, British Prime Minister Theresa May will visit those injured in the blaze in hospital. Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn and London Mayor Sadiq Khan have all met residents.
The queen and Prince William visited residents on Friday morning after government ministers had done so. May has even been criticised from within her own Conservative Party for not doing so. She has pledged to hold a public inquiry into the fire that killed many people with dozens still missing after it engulfed the 24-storey social housing block in West London. She expressed sorrow on television after meeting emergency services personnel.
“She wanted an entirely controlled situation in which she didn’t use her humanity,” former cabinet minister Michael Portillo told the BBC. “She should have been there with the residents. You have to be prepared to receive people’s emotions, and not be so frightened about people.”
