LONDON, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Seventy people and a stillborn baby have been formally identified, as victims following the fire at Grenfell Tower in June, London Metropolitan Police confirmed Thursday.
The number of victims includes baby Logan Gomes, who was stillborn in hospital on 14 June and has been recorded by police as a victim of the fire.
The final two victims to be formally identified have been named as Victoria King and daughter Alexandra Atala.
The police said the families of all 71 victims, including baby Logan, have been informed, and are being supported by specially trained family liaison officers.
"All those identified were people who police anticipated would be recovered from Grenfell Tower, and who had been reported missing since Wednesday, 14 June. Police now believe that all those who died in the fire have been recovered and identified," the police said in a statement.
Metropolitan Police Commander Stuart Cundy, said: "I have been clear from the start that a priority for us was recovering all those who died, and identifying and returning them to their families."
"It is vital that our search and identification operation was undertaken in a manner that families and loved ones could have complete confidence in. We continue to provide every support we can to those bereaved, keeping them updated on our efforts," he said.
Investigators examined 15.5 tonnes of debris on each floor, carrying out full forensic fingertip searches throughout the 24-storey building.
The search operation, described by the Met as "mammoth", is expected to finish next month. The final inquests are due to be opened and adjourned on November 22.
Police are continuing their criminal investigation into the fire, pledging to "find the answers that so many people so desperately want".
Cundy said the criminal investigation would be long and complex. Five months on from the fire, no search warrants have been sought or executed and no one has been arrested or interviewed under caution.
He said the remains of the tower were still a crime scene and searches and work there would continue until at least spring 2018. When police stop treating it as a crime scene and finish their work there, Cundy said, they would not object to its demolition if its owners wanted to do so.
On the early morning of June 14, a massive fire broke out in the Grenfell Tower, a 24-storey apartment built in the 1970s in the west of London, and killed dozens of people. It motivated extensive support for the community while also anger over accusations of mismanagement by the local authorities.
In June, based on what was known then, police believed about 80 people had died. In September, police indicated that the final number believed to have died would be below 80.
