The teenager stabbed to death in Stratford has been named by police as 15-year-old Baptista Adjei.
A murder investigation has been launched after the schoolboy died outside a shopping centre on Stratford Broadway at 3.20pm on Thursday afternoon.
It is believed Baptista was attacked either on, or shortly after getting off a bus, during what has been described as an “altercation”.
Police said his friends rushed to his aid, as well as members of the public who tried to administer first aird.
Metropolitan Police officers attended the scene alongside the London Ambulance Service, where they found Baptista with critical injuries.
He passed away at the scene shortly before 3.50pm.
A second 15-year-old was found with stab injuries, not thought to be life threatening, and is being treated at a hospital in east London.
No arrests have yet been made, and police have released an urgent public appeal in a bid to track down those responsible.
A section 60 order, giving police increased stop-and-search powers, is now in place across Newham.
DCI Chris Soole, who is leading the investigation, expressed his condolences to Baptista’s family, who he said are “tragically having to come to terms with this terrible loss of life.”
“The victim of this stabbing was a schoolboy with his whole life ahead of him<” Soole continued. “He had everything to live for.
“This was a senseless attack and we share the concern and alarm this murder will no doubt cause in the local community.
“We will do everything we can to catch those involved and bring them to justice.”
He described the are Baptista was killed in as “very busy” with lots of people on the school run or making their way home, and has asked anyone with information to come forward – urging them to “do the right thing and get in touch”.
Anyone with information has been asked to contact police on 101, quoting CAD 4644/10OCT19.
Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Police have also said that information can be sent via Twitter at @MetCC.
Young people have also been directed to fearless.org – which is part of Crimestoppers – to report information anonymously and independently of the police.