London police say 58 people assumed dead in tower block blaze
British police said that 58 people were now assumed to have died in this week’s blaze at a London tower block, according to Reuters.
“Sadly at this time, there are 58 people who we have been told were in Grenfell Tower on the night that are missing and therefore sadly I have to assume that they are dead,” Commander Stuart Cundy told reporters, adding that the figure could change.
Police had previously put the death toll at 30. Cundy said the figure of 58 included that toll given earlier.
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Police: 58 people were in #GrenfellTower that are missing and presumed dead, figure may increase https://t.co/40Agq9aroZ pic.twitter.com/TF1wuREApR
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) June 17, 2017
Protesters stormed local town hall after deadly London fire
Several hundred protesters chanting “we want justice” stormed a local town hall in London on Friday after a deadly fire at a block of flats killed at least 30 people, Reuters reporters at the scene said.
The angry protesters barged their way through an automatic door at Kensington and Chelsea town hall and sought to gain entry to an upper floor. Police barred their way and scuffles broke out, a Reuters reporter said.
They chanted: “We want justice”, “bring them out” and “shame on you”. A larger crowd of people remained outside. Some people then left the building though others remained inside.
Protests have been raging in London, as residents from the Grenfell Tower demand justice. @michaelbesty #9News pic.twitter.com/maDInz5qlZ
— Nine News Australia (@9NewsAUS) June 17, 2017
Tensions in the local community have grown since Wednesday’s deadly blaze at the Grenfell Tower in north Kensington which provided social housing for some 600 people.
There have been demands for answers as to how the blaze was able to engulf the 24-storey building along with complaints that not enough was being done to provide assistance for those left homeless or information about those still missing.
British Prime Minister Theresa May visited the injured in hospital on Friday but is herself under mounting criticism for not meeting victims of the blaze sooner.
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Protests close to Grenfell Tower tonight pic.twitter.com/YmTkW4DWML
— Rohit Kachroo (@RohitKachrooITV) June 16, 2017
Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, London mayor Sadiq Khan, Prince William and Queen Elizabeth, 91, have all visited the local area and anger has been growing in the community.
While the disaster has prompted an outpouring of generosity, there was also fury at the authorities as the charred tower was cast as a deadly symbol of a divided society.
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