The first victim of the Grenfell Tower fire in London has been named as Mohammad al-Haj Ali, a 23-year-old Syrian refugee.
Mr Haj Ali's friend and co-founder of the Syria Solidarity Campaign Abdulaziz al-Mashi confirmed the news, saying he had met Mr Haj Ali while working for the organisation, which promotes freedom, peace and democracy in Syria.
More World News Videos
- Video duration
- 01:43
London fire: how survivors escaped the ...
London fire: how survivors escaped the inferno
The residents who survived the fire in London's Grenfell Tower reflect on the tragedy that killed at least 12 people, with another 78 in hospital.
Up Next
London attack: one dead, eight injured
- Video duration
- 01:31
- Video duration
- 01:31
London attack: one dead, eight injured
London attack: one dead, eight injured
Police have launched a counter-terrorism investigation as a van incident leaves one person dead and eight injured in the north London suburb of Finsbury Park.
Up Next
Iran fires missiles at militants in Syria
- Video duration
- 00:51
- Video duration
- 00:51
Iran fires missiles at militants in Syria
Iran fires missiles at militants in Syria
Iran launches a cross-border missile attack against IS militants in eastern Syria that it holds responsible for recent attacks in Tehran that left 18 dead.
Up Next
Van hits pedestrians in London
- Video duration
- 01:18
- Video duration
- 01:18
Van hits pedestrians in London
Van hits pedestrians in London
Police declare a major incident after a van is reportedly deliberately driven into pedestrians with reports of several casualties.
Up Next
Footage from inside Grenfell Tower
- Video duration
- 01:32
- Video duration
- 01:32
Footage from inside Grenfell Tower
Footage from inside Grenfell Tower
Metropolitan Police release video showing devastated apartments inside the London tower block destroyed in last week's intense building fire.
Up Next
Resort outside Mali's capital under attack
- Video duration
- 00:52
- Video duration
- 00:52
Resort outside Mali's capital under attack
Resort outside Mali's capital under attack
At least two people have been killed as security forces rescue dozens of guests from a Mali resort under attack by gunmen.
Up Next
Macron wins majority
- Video duration
- 01:08
- Video duration
- 01:08
Macron wins majority
Macron wins majority
French president Emmanuel Macron has won a huge majority in parliament.
Up Next
We are united: Mattis
- Video duration
- 01:53
- Video duration
- 01:53
We are united: Mattis
We are united: Mattis
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Defence Secretary James Mattis have vowed to strengthen the Australia-US alliance during AUSMIN talks in Sydney.
London fire: how survivors escaped the inferno
The residents who survived the fire in London's Grenfell Tower reflect on the tragedy that killed at least 12 people, with another 78 in hospital.
Mr Haj Ali lived on the 14th floor of Grenfell Tower and tried to escape the deadly blaze with his brother Omar, who was with him in the flat.
But Omar "lost Mohammad on the way out", the Syria Solidarity Campaign said in a statement.
Related Content
According to Mr Mashi, Mr Haj Ali studied civil engineering at the University of West London so he could return to Syria one day and help rebuild the country.
"He was kind, charitable and full of passion for his family. I can't believe he's not here," Mr Mashi told the Press Association.
While he was trapped in his apartment, Mr Haj Ali called friends and family at home in war-torn Syria, according to London's Daily Telegraph, before he sent one final message: "The fire is here now, goodbye".
Press Statement on the tragic death of Syrian refugee Mohammad AlHajali in the #GrenfellTowerFire. We offer our condolences to all victims. pic.twitter.com/pGNhE43NWy
— Syria Solidarity SSC (@SSCupdate) June 15, 2017
His brother Omar al-Haj Ali was found in hospital in a stable condition.
"Mohammad undertook a dangerous journey to flee war and death in Syria, only to meet it here in the UK in his own home," the statement said.
"Mohammad came to this country for safety and the UK failed to protect him.
"We absolutely agree that a thorough investigation into building regulations should take place immediately."
At least 17 people died when a fire ripped through the 24-storey residential tower block early on Wednesday morning. But there are fears the death toll could rise up to 100 people.
British Prime Minister Theresa May has announced a public inquiry.
with AAP