Yahoo News Grenfell Tower: Six-month-old baby found dead in mother's arms in stairwell
A six-month-old baby was found cradled in her mother’s arms after being killed by fumes that engulfed Grenfell Tower, an inquest was heard.
Leena Belkadi was reportedly the youngest member of her family to die in the fire, which also killed her parents and sister as they attempted to flee down the stairs.
Now, an inquest at Westminster Coroner’s Court has heard how Leena’s body was found in a stairwell positioned between the 19th and 20th floor – where the family lived.
According to coroner Eric Sword, she was ‘found in her mother’s arms.’
The court also heard how Leena and eight-year-old sister Malak died from inhaling the fumes – along with mother Farah Hamdan and father Omar Belkadi.
Her sister Tamzin, six, is thought to be the only member of the family to have survived the devastating inferno.
The inquest also named victims Husna Begum, 22, and her relative Rabeya Begum, 64, who were both identified from their dental records.
Rabeya’s body was discovered in the family flat on the 17th floor, while Husna was found in the lobby nearby.
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At present, it is believed that at least 80 people died when fire swept through the 24-storey block in the early hours of 14 June – but there are fears that the toll could be even higher.
Detective Chief Superintendent Fiona McCormack said: ‘We are many months from being able to provide a number that we believe accurately represents the total loss of life inside Grenfell Tower.
“Only after we have completed the search and recovery operation, which will take until the end of the year, and then months afterwards, when experts have carried out the identification process, will we be in a position to tell you who has died.”
