LOSING HOPE

Death Toll in London Fire Rises to 30

As PM Theresa May faces withering criticism for not meeting with survivors sooner.

British officials said more than 30 people perished in the blaze that destroyed a 24-story West London high-rise this week, nearly doubling their most recent death toll. Authorities said the total is expected to rise further as crews work in the burned shell of the structure. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Theresa May is under criticism for not meeting with locals sooner. She is scheduled Friday to visit those injured in the blaze who remain in the hospital. Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, and Queen Elizabeth have all met with local residents. May has pledged to hold a public inquiry into the fire, which rapidly engulfed the social housing block. “She wanted an entirely controlled situation in which she didn’t use her humanity,” former cabinet minister Michael Portillo told the BBC. “She should have been there with the residents. You have to be prepared to receive people’s emotions, and not be so frightened about people.”