May announces public inquiry into Grenfell Tower fire

International Desk: Theresa May has ordered a full public inquiry into the devastating fire in Grenfell Tower in west London, as the death toll continues to rise.

May said she had heard “heartbreaking stories of the people who were caught up in this terrible, terrible tragedy” and that the victims and their families deserved a full investigation. Seventeen people have been confirmed dead but that number is expected to rise.

“Right now people want answers, and it’s absolutely right, and that’s why I am today ordering a full public inquiry into this disaster. We need to know what happened; we need to have an explanation of this, we owe that to the families. To the people who have lost loved ones, friends, and the homes in which they lived.”

The prime minister also said that every effort would be made to rehouse families displaced by the tragedy locally. “I want to reassure the residents of Grenfell Tower, all of whom are in our thoughts and prayers at the moment. I want to reassure them that the government will make every effort to ensure that they are rehoused in London, and as close as possible to home.”

She added that meetings with staff from the emergency services who had tackled the blaze and described how the flames engulfed Grenfell Tower had convinced her of the need for further investigation. “It was rapid, it was ferocious and it was unexpected,” she said.

Source: Agencies


risingbd/Dhaka/June 16, 2017/A K Azad