Two people have been found electrocuted on train tracks in east London.

The bodies were discovered in the early hours of this morning (March 21) on the London Overground line between Hackney Wick and Stratford.

Officers from British Transport Police were called to the scene to reports of a "casualty" on the tracks shortly after 1am.

Officers attended alongside the London Fire Brigade and the London Ambulance Service.

A person was pronounced dead at the scene "after sustaining serious injuries consistent with electrocution".

At 2.31am, officers were then called to reports of a second fatality on the tracks near Stratford.

The person was also declared dead at the scene having sustained injuries consistent with electrocution.

Officers remain at the scene where they are working to identify the deceased and inform their families.

A number of enquiries are also underway to establish the circumstances of how the people came to be on the tracks.

According to rail safety statistics published by the Office of Rail and Road, there were 377 public fatalities between 2017 and 2018, which was an increase of 9.1 per cent compared to the previous year.

Out of the 377 fatalities, 292 were suicide or suspected suicide fatalities, with 249 of these on mainline rail lines and 43 on the London Underground.

Detective Chief Inspector Tim Tubbs said: "An investigation is now underway to discover what happened and how these two people came to lose their lives on the railway.

"At this time we are treating their deaths as unexplained as we make a number of urgent enquiries.

"I would ask anyone who was near Stratford or Hackney Wick last night, and saw something which they think might be relevant to contact us as soon as possible."

To report information to British Transport Police, send a text to 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 23 of 21/03/19.