Ilford stabbings: Children knifed to death in London named by police
'The ending of these innocent young lives is extraordinarily tragic and we are working hard to fully understand what may have cause this to happen,' say police
Two young children who died after being stabbed in their home on Sunday have been named by police.
19-month-old Pavinya Nithiyakumar and three-year-old Nigish Nithiyakumar suffered serious knife wounds in the incident in Ilford on Sunday.
Police and the air ambulance were called to an address on Aldborough Road North at around 5.30pm on Sunday to reports of a man and two children being injured.
The baby girl was pronounced dead at the scene. Nigish was taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service but died shortly after arrival.
The man, 40, also suffered a knife injury and was taken to hospital where he is in critical condition, said Scotland Yard. Officers remain in attendance at the hospital.
All three were known to each other, police added. The children’s mother is receiving support from specially trained officers.
Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident, and no formal arrests have been made.
Detective Chief Inspector Vicky Tunstall said: “The ending of these innocent young lives is extraordinarily tragic and we are working hard to fully understand what may have cause this to happen.
“Whilst I know the effects of this crime are reverberating throughout the local community, please be reassured that we are not seeking any other person(s) in connection with the deaths and there is no cause or the community to be fearful or alarmed.”
According to the PA news agency, neighbours said the family were of Sri Lankan descent. A neighbour who lives across the road from the house said the attack was “devastating” and “horrific". She said a woman could be heard screaming for help “like she was being tortured”.
Any witnesses or anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact police on 101 and quote CAD 5669/26 APR.