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Two French students have been found dead with multiple stab wounds in an East London flat, it was confirmed last night.
A double murder inquiry has been launched after the bodies of the two men, believed to be in their twenties, were discovered on Sunday, when firefighters were called to deal with a fire at the address in Sterling Gardens, New Cross.
A police source said the pair had been "horrifically murdered" adding that it was believed they may have been tortured before being killed and their flat set alight.
Post-mortems on the two bodies showed they were stabbed in the head, the neck and the chest.
Scotland Yard was expected to identify the two students at a press conference this morning. They are thought to be exchange students doing research at Imperial College. French media reports said they were from the Polytechnic of Clermont-Ferrand, in central France.
Their families have been informed and were received yesterday by the French consul general in London.
Police and other emergency services were called at 22:10 on Sunday evening.
The fire was quickly extinguished and the mutilated bodies of the two men were found in a ground floor flat.
They had only been here for a few weeks before being murdered, and had been intending to stay for three months - the length of their contract.
A spokesman for London Ambulance Service said that two ambulances, an officer and a medical team were sent to the scene, where the two men were immediately pronounced dead.
A police source said that officers were keeping an open mind as to why the students were killed, but added that there was no immediate indication why they were so brutally attacked.
An incident room has opened at Sutton under DCI Mick Duthie and detectives are working with the Fire Brigade on the cause of the fire.
DCI Duthie said: "I am appealing for anyone who was in the area of Sterling Gardens at any time over the weekend, and who may have seen or heard anything suspicious near the address, to get in touch.
"I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have seen anyone near the premises around 21.30 on Sunday."
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We hope that the Brits will solve quickly this terror story. The problem is that the UK is a nation that want to police the world, that always tries to marginalize its adversaries (e.g, Irish, Muslims) and London will host the Olympics, and on the ground, it is too often a savage and brutal place...
Jack, Sydney, Australia
I love the Americans who make excuses for rampant european violence. If this had happened in the USA, they, along with their fellow europhiles and leftists, would declare it proof American society is depraved.
Martin, Chicago, IL
It's not London, friends - it's the depravity of human beings willing to do this. London is one of my favorite places in the world. Do not tolerate these actions! The only thing standing between wickedness and global domination is the refusal of good people to stand up.
Jim E. Bullock, Dallas, USA
Dana, Boston re:Mark
Killing IS bad-we all know that!
-so don't you think illegal occupation (as recognised by UN) of territories from ALL surrounding Arab countries & the WORST acts of mass killings with so many cities crushed and brutal military attacks will create at least some reaction ??
Mary, Leeds, UK
This sort of thing happens, tragically, in every country in the world, some psycho has an "episode" and some random pays the price. It will be interesting to see the killers form sheet and mental health problems, whether or not he/them was out on parole or care in the community.
john, glasvegas,
For London's defenders- Im from London and I live in New York and London is currently far more violent. You can walk the streets of Manhattan alone late at night and feel fairly secure. The same is not true in London. I dont care about why or how - I want the government to take control.
John, Islington, UK
And Gordons concerned about Africa.
wayne, huntingdon, cambridgeshire
Mark from Toronto, what kind of horrible monster would think murder could ever be justified -- in Israel or elsewhere? What an ego you must have to think that you have a right to judge who deserves to die and who doesn't. That is not your choice to make or any other human being's.
Dana, Boston, USA
It is all over the world, including Canada... senseless crimes.
However, to whoever commented about Israel, it is vastly unfair such shocking and gruesome crimes to what happens in Israel, which has some justification (I mean if Israel would just get out W. Bank, Gaza, G. Heights, E. Jerusalem...
Mark, Toronto, Canada
I was told by a European last week that London was more dangerous than New York. I told him not to be so stupid, but this brings home why the UK has such a crime ridden reputation in Europe. Overflowing prisons and early release of offenders to make room for new criminals does suggest a new UK low
Richard, London,
My thoughts go out to the poor families of these unfortunate young men. What a disgrace London - and the UK in general - has become. The city once known as the domain of ladies and gentlemen now has the reputation of knife capital of the world.
Stephen, London, UK
New Cross is in South London not East London.
Dave, London,
New Cross isn't in East London. It is in South London, as the quickest check on Google Maps would have confirmed.
Niall, London,
A sad story but I can't believe intelligent people would use isolated events such as these to broadly denigrate such a truly amazing city. Violent crimes of this sort are rising in many cities all over the world.
Geoff, Toronto, Canada
It is just a disgrace,who are these feral youths and who are their families...i believe the government has failed the country by fillin it to overflowing with immgrants,fuelling all sorts of resentments,causing mayhem,greed corruption,24 hour drinking and lax moral behaviour....
Jean Matthews, London, England
being from CLermont Ferrand, i have to say that i'm horrified by what just happened and hope that Sctoland Yarddo its best tofind the murderers ...
bernard, clermont ferrand, france
I feel sickened by this story. Yet again the brutality of one person against another raises the 'bar'. Following the stabbings in Islington and the insanity exhibited in Jeruslalem what next? The human race appears to be on a downwards spiral of self destruction.
Jules, nantwich, UK
Thanks for that contribution, Paul. Very constructive. I seem to recall something about Orlando having an exceptionally high murder rate, even for a country where taking a machine gun into college seems to be a modern rite of passage. before criticising the mote in our eye...
Guy, London,
Unfortunately London now got reputation as stab city - horribly sad
Ian , Belfast,
It's not just London. England is full of frightening people;any town, any time, our country is degenerating before our eyes.
John Pownall, Bridport,
London is a horrible place
paul, orlando, usa