Three men have died in a stabbing in east London.
Police said they were called at about 19:40 GMT on Sunday to reports of a disturbance in Elmstead Road in Seven Kings, Ilford.
Three men, aged in their 20s or 30s, who were involved in a fight, were found by emergency services with stab injuries, the Metropolitan Police said.
All three were pronounced dead at the scene. Two men, aged 29 and 39, have been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Ch Supt Steve Clayman said a fight had broken out between two groups who were armed with knives, leaving three men fatally stabbed.
“We can now say that two arrests have since been made, so there has been progress.
“The parties are believed to be known to each other and the group are within the Sikh community,” he added.
Formal identification of the victims is yet to take place.
The stabbings bring the number of homicide investigations launched by the Met in 2020 to six.
At the scene: Greg Mckenzie, BBC London
There is a visible police presence here which started overnight when the police first arrived.
Officers were called just before 20:00 last night to reports of a disturbance but when they got here, they found three young men – all in close proximity to each other – suffering from stab wounds.
At the end of one of the police cordons put in place you can just about make out the tops of the forensic tents – three dotted next to each other – which marks the exact spots where these individuals were pronounced dead.
Despite the works of the emergency services, these men could not be saved.
I’ve seen graphic video from a nearby resident that was filmed shortly after the incident showing pools of blood on the street.
I’ve been speaking to some residents here this morning who say they have raised concerns to police over gangs congregating behind Seven King’s train station, where they often drink and smoke cannabis.
Road closures and an enhanced police presence will be seen in the Redbridge area until 08:00.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan tweeted: “My thoughts are with their families and the local community at this dreadful time.”
He said extra police enforcement powers had been authorised for the whole of Redbridge borough until 08:00 on Monday.Skip Twitter post by @SadiqKhan
Sadiq Khan✔@SadiqKhanReplying to @SadiqKhan
Extra police enforcement powers have been authorised for the whole of Redbridge borough until 8am tomorrow.
Please contact the police on 101 or contact @CrimestoppersUK anonymously if you have any information.3312:41 AM – Jan 20, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy130 people are talking about thisReport
End of Twitter post by @SadiqKhan
A forensic examination of the scene is under way and will continue into Monday, police said.
