Grenfell fire death toll highly unlikely to change, says coroner

The Grenfell Tower death toll is "highly unlikely" to change from 71, a coroner has said as she opened inquests for the final two victims of the blaze.

Westminster Coroner Fiona Wilcox marked the milestone by poignantly reading the names of 70 of those killed in the June 14 fire and observing two minutes of silence.

The 71st victim, baby Logan Gomes, was stillborn and not formally named by Dr Wilcox.

Victoria King
Victoria King

The coroner praised the work of authorities to "restore names to the dead and return them to their families" in the months since the disaster.

Inquests were opened and adjourned into the deaths of mother and daughter Victoria King, 71, and Alexandra Atala, 40, who were found at each other's side on the block's 20th floor.

Preliminary causes of death for the pair were consistent with the effects of fire, Westminster Coroner's Court heard.

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