Police investigating the Grenfell Tower disaster say the entire occupants of 23 out of the 129 flats in the building may have perished in the fire incident.
Commander Stuart Cundy, who is overseeing the Metropolitan Police response to the fire said, on Wednesday, his team has spoken to at least one person who lived in 106 of the 129 flats within Grenfell Tower.
He, however, added: “Tragically, there are still 23 flats where despite our investigative efforts we have been unable to trace or speak to anyone who was in those properties on the night.
“We assume that sadly no one from any of those flats survived.
“Until our search operation is complete, I cannot say with any certainty how many people may have been in those flats, as occupiers or visitors, that night.”
He also disclosed that they have made “87 recoveries” but stressed that “the catastrophic damage” inside means “that is not 87 people”.
Cundy said while they have now “forensically recovered the last of the visible human remains” they still cannot say how many people have been recovered.
The news comes after it was revealed the devastated families of victims will be forced to wait a year until they can identify their loved ones’ bodies.
Grieving relatives were given the heartbreaking news at a private meeting where they were told the “recovery phase” inside the building would take months.
Cundy said: “On Monday, we forensically recovered the last of the visible human remains from Grenfell Tower and transferred them to Westminster Mortuary.
“In total we have made 87 recoveries, but I must stress that the catastrophic damage inside Grenfell Tower means that is not 87 people.
“Until formal identification has been completed to the Coroner’s satisfaction, I cannot say how many people have now been recovered.”
Some 21 bodies have been formally identified by the coroner and their families informed, Cundy said, adding he does not want there to be any “hidden victims”.
He added: “Work continues using all available techniques, supported by experts and specialists, to identify all those whose remains we have recovered.”
A search by hand has started and will involve investigators “meticulously” sifting through about 15.5 tonnes of debris on each floor, he said.
