Grenfell Tower inquiry: Berki Haftom who died alongside her son, 12, was 10 weeks pregnant

Grenfell victims: Berkti Haftom with son Biruk, who also died in the blaze
Metropolitan Police

A mother who died alongside her 12-year-old son in Grenfell Tower was 10 weeks pregnant at the time of her death, it has emerged.

Berkti Haftom, 29, lived on the 18th floor of the west London block with son Biruk when they were caught up in the inferno.

A statement by her sisters read to the inquiry into the disaster revealed she had been expecting her third child when she died.

Her eldest son had also been due to join them in London after years of separation.

Biruk Haftom, 12, has been named among those who died in the Grenfell Tower fire
Metropolitan Police

"Biruk was so happy that his mother was going to have a baby," the statement said.

Biruk's cousin, Simon Michael, 10, said in a video tribute how he wishes he was in Grenfell Tower on the night of the fire too.

Berkti Haftom's sister reads statement on her death, alongside her 12-year-old son in Grenfell Tower

The bereaved child said Biruk, whom he called his "brother", always looked after him.

He added that his cousin was always good with secrets, saying: "Let me tell you a secret, I wish I was with you there that night, but don't tell my mum."

The charred husk of Grenfell Tower a month after the fire
Getty Images

"I won't forget you, brother," he finished.

Of his aunt, he said: "You didn't die alone, a part of me left with you."

The Eritrean had fled her home country when conflict with Ethiopia erupted in 1998 and was forced to leave her other son, Nahom Tesfay, behind in the care of her mother.

Now 18, he said on Thursday through tears: "When my grandmother died in 2016, everything changed. She (Berkti) was really worried about me because I couldn't cope on my own. Since that time she kept calling me to promise me, saying, 'you will soon be with me'.

"When I remember her voice you cannot even imagine how I feel. I was looking forward to living with my mum and little brother but the fire in Grenfell Tower on June 14 2017 changed everything. I didn't see my mother for 15 years."

Reporting by Press Association

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