Europe News

London fire: Police say 30 people have died, hope death toll does not exceed ‘triple figures’

Key Points
  • Metropolitan Police Commander Stuart Cundy told reporters on Friday that 30 people had died following the Grenfell Tower fire.
  • "There is nothing to suggest at this time that the fire was started deliberately," Cundy added.
  • U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May has ordered a public inquiry while police have subsequently launched a criminal investigation.
Leon Neal | Getty Images

London police said at least 30 people have died as a result of the massive tower block fire, with the death toll set to increase further.

"We know at least 30 people who have died... Sadly, we do not expect there to be any survivors," Metropolitan Police Commander, Stuart Cundy, said on Friday.

As emergency services continued to search the burnt-out high rise tower, Cundy explained that 24 people were still being treated in hospital, while 12 were receiving critical care.

British media had reported the final death toll could exceed 100. However, London's police chief said Thursday he hoped it was not going to be "triple figures."

'Nothing to suggest the fire was deliberate'

"There is nothing to suggest at this time that the fire was started deliberately," he added.

British Prime Minister Theresa May has ordered a full public inquiry into the fire while police have subsequently launched a criminal investigation.

May, who had faced criticism for not meeting survivors of the blaze on a visit to the location on Thursday, said victims "deserve answers".

Six victims of the tower block fire have been provisionally identified.

"We as the police, we investigate criminal offenses - I am not sitting here and saying there are criminal offenses that have been committed, that's why you do an investigation, to establish it," Cundy said.