Bodies are pulled from the Grenfell Tower wreckage as rescue workers finally reach the roof of the building and the official death toll rises to 30

Bodies were brought out of Grenfell Tower today as rescue workers begin to scour the wrecked building to recover the dead.

The official death toll now stands at 30, although it is feared that number will rise significantly once workers have gone through the whole building. More than 70 residents are still unaccounted for and fears are growing for the many still missing. 

Rescue crews have reached the roof of the 24-storey building and recovered twelve bodies, but they are unable to enter flats on the upper floors until the building is made more stable.

The police chief in charge of the operation has warned that some victims may never be identified. It was confirmed today that one of those who was taken to hospital during the blaze has since died. 

The official death toll rose as the Queen and the Duke of Cambridge met volunteers, local residents and community representatives at the nearby Westway Sports Centre this morning.

Under-fire Prime Minister Theresa May meanwhile visited the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital to meet victims, amid mounting criticism over her failure to comfort those affected on her private visit to the scene yesterday. 

Bodies have been removed from Grenfell Tower as rescue workers begin their operation to recover those who died in the fire.

The bodies of those found nearer the bottom of the tower block have now been recovered and taken to a mortuary.

Fire and rescue workers examine the burnt-out hulk of Grenfell Tower this morning as authorities plan how to inspect and recover bodies from the 24-storey block.

Recovery workers with torches were seen inside the building today as they carry out the grim operation of looking for bodies.

Investigators in orange suits were seen on the roof of the building today as they assess how stable the remaining structur.