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Grenfell Tower fire death toll: The 71 victims who died in the disaster

Criminal inquiry continues into responsibility for the tragedy

Stephen Jones,Alastair Reid,Lizzie Dearden
Thursday 16 November 2017 05:56 EST
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Jessica Urbano Ramirez, 12, was among the many victims to have left their flats and fled to higher floors in an attempt to escape the blaze
Jessica Urbano Ramirez, 12, was among the many victims to have left their flats and fled to higher floors in an attempt to escape the blaze

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Police believe the final death toll in the Grenfell Tower fire is 71, including a stillborn baby.

These are the victims named by authorities, with the final inquests into their deaths due to open on Wednesday.

Victoria King and Alexandra Atala

Ms King, 71, and her daughter Ms Atala, 40, were the last two victims formally identified by the coroner on 15 November. Relatives said they died “at each other’s side”.

“Some comfort can come from the knowledge that she and Alexandra were devoted to one another and spent so many mutually-supportive years together,” a statement said.

“They died at each other’s side and now they can rest together in peace. We will remember them always.”

Victoria King died aged 71 alongside her daughter in the Grenfell Tower fire
Victoria King died aged 71 alongside her daughter in the Grenfell Tower fire (Metropolitan Police)

Floor 23

Amna Mahmud Idris

The remains of Amna Mahmud Idris, 27, were discovered on the second highest floor of the high-rise, the inquest into her death heard.

Gary Maunders

The 57-year-old is believed to have been with his friend Deborah Lamprell, who also died, when the fire broke out.

Mr Maunders died from injuries “consistent with the effects of fire”, an inquest heard.

Rania Ibrahim and children

Believed to be a mother of two young children – three-year-old Hania and five-year-old Fethia – Ms Ibrahim, 30, uploaded a harrowing Facebook Live video as she appeared to be stuck at the top of the tower block.

In the footage, she can be seen seeking help in the smoke-covered corridor of the block before going back into her home and looking down on the street below from her balcony.

She was identified by her dental records, an inquest attended by her husband and surviving family heard.

Gloria Trevisan and Marco Gottardi

The young Italian couple Gloria Trevisan, 26, and Marco Gottardi, 27, had only recently moved into the 23rd floor.

Ms Trevisan called her mother in Italy at roughly 3.30am to say their building was ablaze, according to the Italian newspaper Corriere del Veneto.

Gloria Trevisan and Marco Gottardi
Gloria Trevisan and Marco Gottardi (Pamela Pizziolo/Facebook)

Fathia Ahmed and children

The 71-year-old – thought also to be referred to as Fathiya Alsanousi – and son Abufars Ibrahim, 39, and daughter Isra Ibrahim, 35, were confirmed dead by authorities.

Raymond “Moses” Bernard

The body of Mr Bernard, 63, was discovered in his flat with that of one of the youngest victims, 12-year-old Biruk Haftom.

The family of Mr Bernard, known to his friends as Moses, said: “Gone but not forgotten, you are so dearly loved by us all and will be sadly missed by many. May you rest in eternal peace, with love always.”

Mohamed Neda

Mohamed Amied Neda, 57, was found outside the tower block and died as a result of multiple injuries consistent with a fall.

Mohamed ‘Saber’ Neda made a frantic call to a relative at 2.20am
Mohamed ‘Saber’ Neda made a frantic call to a relative at 2.20am

Hesham Rahman

The 57-year-old was found dead in the flat where he lived alone.

He is said to have last made contact with his family at around 3am when he told them he could smell smoke. It was also reported that Mr Rahman had diabetes, making it difficult for him to walk down stairs.

Floor 22

The Choucair family

Nadia Choucair and her husband Bassem lived on the 22nd floor with their three daughters Mierna, 13, Fatima, 11, and Zeinab, three. Grandmother Sirria Choucair, 60, was also found among the dead.

The Kedir family

Hashim Kedir, 44, died alongside wife Nura Jemal, 35, daughter Firdows Hashim, 12, and sons Yahya Hashim, 13, and Yaqub Hashim, six.

Family described Mr Kedir as “everybody’s favourite in the family” who could “make friends so easily”.

Mrs Jemal was described as “vibrant, full of life and positive-minded”, while their daughter was “the most intelligent, wise and eloquent girl” with “the voice of an angel”.

Family said Yahya was “kind, handsome, pure-hearted and sweet”, and Yaqub was “our energetic, sporty, funny, smart and cute boy”.

Grenfell Tower victim Hashim Kedir, 44, has been formally identified
Grenfell Tower victim Hashim Kedir, 44, has been formally identified

Floor 21

Logan Gomes

Police have recorded baby Logan Gomes, who was stillborn in hospital after his parents escaped the tower, as a victim of the fire.

His family managed to escape from the blaze but mother Andreia Gomes lost the child, giving birth to him as she lay unconscious in hospital hours after they escaped.

Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph, her husband Marco said doctors had opted to deliver the infant after his heart stopped beating to ensure she would not contract an infection, adding it was a “very traumatic time”.

The El-Wahabi family

Abdulaziz El-Wahabi, 52, wife Faouzia, 41, their elder son Yasin, 20, daughter Nur Huda, 16, and younger son Mehdi, eight, were confirmed dead at inquests.

They lived on the 21st floor, according to Mr El-Wahabi’s sister.

Hana El-Wahabi told reporters: “I rang him and the fire had not reached the top of the block at that point. He said he had been told to stay inside, stay in one room together and put towels under the door.”

In a statement released by the Metropolitan Police, the surviving family said: “Mehdi was a calm and friendly young boy who loved his family very much.

“He was loved by staff and pupils at his school who held a beautiful memorial and made a plaque in memory of him.”

Yasin El-Wahabi, 20, died on the 21st floor of the tower
Yasin El-Wahabi, 20, died on the 21st floor of the tower (PA)

Ligaya Moore

A 78-year-old widow, Ligaya Moore was diabetic and had lived in London for 43 years, having moved to the city from the Philippines.

A family statement said: “She endured being away with family – not able to attend her mother’s funeral – but in exchange of all the loneliness and homesickness, she met the love of her life, Jim Moore, a British national, had a new family, acquired new friends, and built a new life in London.

“The jolly, bubbly person, the lady who loves to dance and who laughed her heart out, succumbed to a fire which turned her laughter into silence.”

Floor 20

Khadija Saye and Mary Mendy

Artist Khadija Saye, also known as Ya-Haddy Sisi Saye, died in the hallway on the ninth floor as a result of inhalation of fire fumes and burns.

She was hailed as a “wonderful young woman” by Tottenham MP David Lammy, and was due to appear in a BBC documentary about her photography work, which was on show in Venice as part of a collection on the theme of diaspora.

Ms Saye’s mother, Mary Mendy – also known as Sissy Mendy – is thought to have been visiting her daughter on the 20th floor when the fire broke out. She died on the 13th floor, an inquest heard.

Khadija Saye’s pictures were put on display at the Tate Britain in June, as a tribute to all the victims
Khadija Saye’s pictures were put on display at the Tate Britain in June, as a tribute to all the victims (PA)

Jessica Urbano Ramirez

Jessica, 12, died on the 23rd floor. Last month, her family and friends celebrated what would have been the schoolgirl’s 13th birthday at a gathering in Avondale Park, west London.

Her aunt Ana Ospina told the Press Association shortly after the fire: “She last spoke to her mum when she borrowed a phone and told her she was on the stairs with other people.”

The Belkadi family

Four members of a family of five were killed in the blaze, with the fifth – a young child – taken to hospital.

Mother Farah Hamdan, 31, and her husband Omar Belkadi, 32, lived on the 20th floor with their daughters Malak, seven, Tazmin, six, and Leena, six months.

Leena and Malak died from inhalation of fumes. Leena was found in her mother’s arms between the 19th and 20th floors.

Malak was recovered from the 20th floor and died later at St Mary’s Hospital, where she was taken alongside her sister Tazmin, who was the sole survivor.

Tamzin Belkadi survived but lost her parents and two sisters to the fire
Tamzin Belkadi survived but lost her parents and two sisters to the fire

Floor 19

Mariem and Eslah Elgwahry

Mariem Elgwahry, 27, lived on the 19th floor of the tower with her mother Eslah, 64.

The bodies of the two women were found side by side on the 23rd floor where they had tried to escape the blaze.

Mariem and her mother climbed four flights up in a futile bid to escape the fire
Mariem and her mother climbed four flights up in a futile bid to escape the fire

Mohamednur Tuccu and family

The body of Mohamednur Tuccu, 44, was recovered from close to the nearby leisure centre, where he was found to have suffered multiple injuries. His wife Amalahmedin and their three-year-old daughter Amaya also died.

Floor 18

Berkti and Biruk Haftom

Berkti Haftom, 29, and 12-year-old son Biruk were found dead near the top of the tower block, suggesting they sought refuge in a flat further up the building.

Their family said: “Berkti and Biruk left an everlasting legacy full of lovely memories and their contagious laughter and charisma will live in our hearts forever.

“We are deeply hurt and heartbroken our angels were taken from us so cruelly, so young. We will not rest until justice is served.”

Sakina and Fatima Afrasahabi

Sisters Sakina, 65, and Fatema, 59, moved to the UK in 1997 and were found dead on the 23rd floor.

The Iranian family of the pair told The Guardian that Sakina was disabled and only able to move with a walking stick.

They said: “She was forced to live there because she had no other option. On a good day she couldn’t come down 18 floors – but in the fire and smoke?”

Sakineh Afraseiabi, 65 (left), and her younger sister Fatima Afraseiabi died on the 23rd floor
Sakineh Afraseiabi, 65 (left), and her younger sister Fatima Afraseiabi died on the 23rd floor (PA)

Isaac Paulos

Five-year-old Isaac was last seen trying to escape the blaze with neighbours and family, but reportedly got lost in the smoke.

He choked to death on fumes and was found on the 13th floor.

In a statement released by the Metropolitan Police, his family said: “Isaac our beloved son was taken from us when he was only five years old.

“We will all miss our kind, energetic, generous little boy. He was such a good boy who was loved by his friends and family. We will miss him forever, but we know God is looking after him now and that he is safe in heaven.”

Floor 17

Khadija Khalloufi

The 52-year-old died from inhalation of fumes, an inquest heard. She leaves behind husband Sabah Abdullah, who was granted an emergency passport to attend her funeral in Morocco after his identification was lost in the fire.

“I’m relieved now. At least I know I’m going to fulfil the wish of my late wife,” he told the BBC after the broadcaster appealed to the Home Office on his behalf.

Khadija Khalloufi was buried in her native Morocco
Khadija Khalloufi was buried in her native Morocco (Met Police)

Vincent Chiejina

Mr Chiejina, 60, was recovered from the 17th floor of the building and identified by DNA, the inquest into his death heard.

The coroner’s officer said the provisional cause of death had been given as “consistent with the effects of fire”.

The Begum family

Kamru Miah, 79, Rabeya Begum, 64, Mohammed Hamid, 27, Mohammed Hanif, 26 and Husna Begum, 22, were found on the 17th floor and died from injuries “consistent with the effects of fire”, the inquests into their deaths heard.

Floor 16

Joseph Daniels

The 69-year-old reportedly suffered from dementia and could not be persuaded by his son to leave the building. He died from injuries consistent with the effects of fire, an inquest heard.

Deborah Lamprell

Ms Lamprell, 45, worked front of house at Opera Holland Park. Known as Debbie, she was described by her mother as a “wonderful, precious daughter, always smiling and helping others”.

In honour of their colleague, the opera house in west London held a special encore at a recent performance, before which a private memorial service was held for around 100 people, including family and performers at the venue.

Michael Volpe, general director at the company, said she had worked there for “several years” and called her “a really valued member of staff”, adding: “She will be remembered here.

“Part of her job was to go backstage and check things backstage. Not only was she known to all of our patrons, she was really popular with all the singers, chorus and the orchestra and she had a lovely way about her.”

Majorie and Ernie Vital

Majorie Vital, 68, and her son Ernie, 50, lived on the 16th floor and died on the 23rd floor.

Mr Vital, who worked in catering, was a “proud, humble, mature and independent man”, a “loyal son” and a “law-abiding citizen”, his family said.

His mother, a former textile worker, was a “kind-hearted” woman who dedicated her life to her children.

Sheila

Sheila, 84, formerly known as Sheila Smith, lived on the 16th floor, where she died from injuries consistent with the effects of fire, an inquest heard.

A friend, Gary Allen, said he had known her for 20 years, and described her as a “truly beautiful person” and “love, pure and simple”.

“We shared a great interest in history, Shakespeare, the Knights Templar, et cetera and she had a great spirituality about her,” he said.

Sheila was described as ‘a truly beautiful person’
Sheila was described as ‘a truly beautiful person’

Floor 15

Hamid Kani

The body of 60-year-old Hamid Kani was found on the 23rd floor, an inquest heard. His family had said he lived on the 15th floor but had no relatives in the UK.

“All members of his family are here in Iran,” Mr Kani’s niece, Maryam Shahvarani, told the Press Association.

She said he lived alone, struggled with hearing problems and wore hearing aids.

The inquest was told Mr Kani died of injuries consistent with the effects of fire.

Hamid Kani was originally from Iran
Hamid Kani was originally from Iran (PA)

Steve Power

The 63-year-old died on the 15th floor, where he is thought to have lived.

Several family members have posted online speaking of their heartbreak at not being able to find him.

Floor 14

Mohammed al-Haj Ali

Syrian refugee Mohammed al-Haj Ali, 23, was the first fatality to be formally identified by police. Having reportedly been stuck in his flat for two hours, he was later found outside the tower block having fallen from the burning building.

His funeral was held a week after the disaster and was attended by his family, some of whom came over from Syria, and the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

A family statement read at the service said he “loved London and loved the people he met here”, and had begun pursuing his dream of studying engineering.

“He was a loving and caring person, always showing support and solidarity for friends and family stuck back in Syria.”

Mohammad al-Haj Ali died after jumping from his 14th-floor flat
Mohammad al-Haj Ali died after jumping from his 14th-floor flat (Facebook)

Denis Murphy

The family of 56-year-old Mr Murphy said they were left with a “gaping hole in our hearts that can never be filled” after he was formally identified.

He is believed to have become trapped on the 14th floor. His family spoke of an “agonising 10 weeks” between the disaster and his formal identification.

Zainab and Jeremiah Deen

Zainab Deen was in her flat with her two-year-old son Jeremiah when the fire broke out. They were found dead at each other’s side.

Originally from Sierra Leone, Ms Deen was described as a “beautiful, loving lady” when a group of friends gathered near Grenfell Tower to pay tribute to her.

In a tribute issued by police, Jeremiah’s family said of him: “You spent a moment in our arms, but you will last a lifetime in our hearts.”

Isha Thomas, a friend of Ms Deen, said she believed the 32-year-old was following advice not to leave the building, adding: “She was on the phone to her brother until four in the morning.

“We are just devastated. I just want them [the authorities] to answer. We need answers, we need to know what happened.”

Jeremiah Deen was found by his mother’s side
Jeremiah Deen was found by his mother’s side (Met Police)

Floor 11

Abdeslam Sebbar

The 67-year-old is thought to have lived on the 11th floor, where he was discovered. He died from inhalation of fire fumes, an inquest heard.

Floor 10

Ali Yawar Jafari

The 81-year-old was pulled from the tower by firefighters but was pronounced dead at the scene due to inhalation of fire fumes, an inquest heard.

His son, Hamid Ali Jafari, said his father had lost contact with his mother and sister, who lived with him in Grenfell Tower, on the 10th floor.

Ali Yawar Jafari lost contact with his family during the fire
Ali Yawar Jafari lost contact with his family during the fire

Anthony Disson

Known as Tony, the 65-year-old is reported to have last been in contact with his family at around 3am while he was inside the building. An inquest heard that he died from inhalation of fire fumes.

He is reported to have lived on the 10th floor and is survived by four sons, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A sixth grandchild was due in September.

He was laid to rest a mile from the tower in Ladbroke Grove, at a ceremony in June attended by Sadiq Khan.

Press Association

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