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Families of the victims of the tragic Grenfell fire are calling for criminal prosecutions following the final report into the fire that killed 72 people.

Nazanin Aghlani, whose mother died in the fire, has told local media that onlyÌýcriminal prosecutions can bring her "closure" and justice.

Her comments came afterÌýan inquiry concluded that the disaster was the "culmination of decades of failure" by the government, fire service, and the construction industry bodies who showed "systematic dishonesty" over building materials.

"What we are after is criminal charges. It should have been the other way around – criminal prosecutions should have taken place first," Aghlani told British dailyÌýi.

Hisam Choucair, who lost his mother, sister, brother-in-law and three young nieces, said at a press conference the probe had delayed the justice his family deserved as it did not allow for criminal proceedings to begin.

Karim Khalloufi, from Morocco, whose sister Khadija died in the fire, said the inquiry had "robbed" him and other family members and survivors of justice, but the time for it had now come.

"The minimum we are asking is criminal prosecution for manslaughter," Khalloufi said.

Shah Aghlani, who lost his mother and aunt in the fire, said he was pessimistic about criminal prosecution, saying he expected "smaller charges" that might only lead to fines and not jail time.

Aghlani argued that if there was no adequate criminal prosecution, unsafe cladding such as that used at the Grenfell Tower would continue to be an issue in Britain and around the world.

The devastating fire took place on 14 June 2017, which saw the Grenfell buildingÌýburnÌýfor 60 hours in London's North Kensington area. A public inquiry into the incident had sought to establish facts but did not pursue charges.

The Crown Prosecution Service said it did not expect to make any charging decisions until the end of 2026, meaning trials might only occur a decade after the blaze.

Racism and discrimination

One issue pointed out by many after the fire and the publication of the final inquiry report was that the majority of the victims were ofÌýethnic minorityÌýor socially disadvantagedÌýbackgrounds.

Of those who died in the fire, 85 percent were from ethnic minorities and low-income communities, including refugees. Many victims were from countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Morocco, Sudan, and even Syria.

While the inquiry found "no evidence that any of the decisions….were affected by racial or social prejudiceÌýand none of those representing the bereaved, survivors or residents has drawn any such evidence to our attention, although they have had access to all the material before us", it did not stop many from drawing other conclusions.

"Our thoughts with the families of those who lost their lives at #Grenfell many of which were Muslims, refugees & immigrants. Grenfell is now a term to describe how the poor and vulnerable are treated in modern society. Whereas religion always sides with the weak & oppressed," one user on X.

"The tragedy at #Grenfell is also a tragic case of what can happen when #InstitutionalRacism is ignored and dismissed. Racism in society and racist attitudes from those at the top caused these deaths too," another.

The inquiry did, however, reveal the racism and discrimination survivors faced after the fire.

The report said Kensington and Chelsea Council should have done more to take care of people from different backgrounds, including Muslims.

Muslim survivors were denied their right to halal food while being temporarily rehoused in hotels.

Many Muslims were observing Ramadan while relocating and could not eat at the set times in some hotels, as those fasting could only eat after the sun sets and before it rises.

There was also a lack of support for people who speak English as their second language and cannot read any communications that were only released in English.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Wednesday's release of the final report was a "long-awaited day of truth but it must now lead to a day of justice".

MPs also faced backlash after showed dozens of MPs leaving the House of Commons without listening to a statement on Grenfell – in front of the families who were affected.

British government data showed that as of July 2024, 4,630 buildings standing at 11 metres (36 ft) or higher still had unsafe cladding, and remediation work had yet to start on half of them.

UK - Grenfell Tower survivors guilt