All missing Grenfell child victims from police list formally identified, coroner says

All of the children from a list of the missing compiled by police in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster have now been formally identified, a coroner has said.

Westminster coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox said it was a "huge milestone" as she opened and adjourned the latest round of inquests.

A total of 66 victims of the June 14 blaze have been identified and 60 inquests held so far.

Dr Wilcox said: "It was a huge milestone today to be able to identify all of the children off this (the police) list and although it has taken a long time, 15 weeks, I am satisfied that all of those identities are secure and reliable and I wish to thank all of those who have worked so hard to achieve that and I particularly give thanks to all of those very many people who have been waiting."

On Wednesday, the court heard Rania Ibrahim, 31, whose husband and other family members were present, was identified by her dental records after her remains were recovered from the tower's 23rd floor.

Coroner's officer Eric Sword said the provisional cause of her death was "consistent with the effects of fire".

The mother-of-two live-streamed harrowing footage when she became trapped in the block with her daughters, Fathia, five, and Hania, three.

In the five-minute Facebook Live video, she told friends she could not get out, while comforting the terrified youngsters.

Inquests are yet to be held for the girls.

The inquest was also told that Mehdi El-Wahabi, eight, was identified from his DNA having died along with his family on the 21st floor of the west London block.

Mr Sword said the provisional cause of her death was "consistent with the effects of fire".

His parents, Abdulaziz El-Wahabi, 52, and Faouzia, 41, and their eldest son Yasin, 20, have been confirmed dead at inquests.

There has as yet been no official news on their daughter Nurhouda, 15, although she is presumed dead.

In a statement released by the Metropolitan Police on Tuesday, Mehdi's surviving family said: "Mehdi was a calm and friendly young boy who loved his family very much.

"He was loved by staff and pupils at his school who held a beautiful memorial and made a plaque in memory of him."

His cousin, Senate Jones, said: "You made me laugh and smile every day."

Dr Wilcox adjourned both inquests pending the outcome of the public inquiry and police investigation.