Full death toll from Grenfell Tower 'could take until end of the year'

Police previously said at least 79 people died in the blaze.

BRITISH POLICE HAVE increased the toll in the Grenfell Tower fire to 80 dead or presumed dead.

In an update to reporters Metropolitan Police Detective Superintendent Fiona McCormack said that it could take until the end of the year, or longer, before an accurate death toll from the 14 June fire is known.

Police had previously said the fire claimed at least 79 lives.

Detective Superintendent McCormack, who is leading the investigation, said police believe that no one survived in 23 of the tower block’s 129 apartments.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Theresa May said authorities have tested 120 high-rise buildings in dozens of areas across Britain and found that all were fitted with external cladding panels that failed fire safety tests.

Flammable cladding has been blamed for the rapid spread of the Grenfell blaze.

Read: Dublin’s chief fire officer says more resources needed to carry out inspections >

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