LONDON, June 16-- London's Metropolitan Police confirmed Friday that at least 30 people died in this week's fire which swept through a residential tower block in west London. Although police did not speculate on the eventual number of fatalities, local community sources say at least 70 from Grenfell Tower are still missing, including entire families. Grief and disbelief at seeing a tower that had been home to up to 600 people reduced to a burned-out shell turned to outrage and anger. Queen Elizabeth and her grandson Prince William visited a community center Friday close to where the disaster happened, and spoke to people affected by the tragedy. Prime Minister Theresa May, who ordered a public inquiry into the disaster, was criticized on Thursday for visiting the scene of the fire, but talking to officials rather than victims or survivors. May on Friday visited some of the rescued undergoing treatment in Kensington and Chelsea Hospital. As London Fire and Rescue Service continued their search of the building, looking for victims, the outpouring of grief mixed with anger grew. Central to the anger is that cheaper materials may have been used in a multi-million dollar refurbishment of Grenfell Tower to keep costs down. National media in London reported extensively Friday that it would have cost just 5,000 pounds (6,400 U.S. dollars) extra for a cladding material with better fire protection qualities. |