Frenchman's death in London attack 'incredible injustice': father

A young Frenchman who was one of seven people killed in Saturday's London attacks had lived in the city for nine months to "improve his English" and was working as a waiter at a bistro when he was stabbed, his father said.

Alexandre Pigeard's death was "an incredible injustice", his father, Philippe Pigeard, told AFP by telephone on Tuesday.

He was a "wonderful son, a perfect big brother," a "shining young man," he said.

Alexandre, 26, was working on the terrace of the Boro Bistro in London's Borough Market when he was fatally stabbed.

"I was watching the BBC. I recognised the first images of the neighbourhood," said his father, who was in London on Tuesday to recover his son's body.

"Normally, he would send a text message to say: 'Dad, everything's fine."

But on Saturday night, the text didn't come.

"I called. There was no answer. I quickly understood that he was involved."

The confirmation of his death came "a half-hour later."

"He had been in London for nine months, to improve his English and to have the experience. He was then supposed to have been at the opening of a restaurant in" the western French city of Nantes.

The young man was "passionate about electronic music" and also enjoyed London culture.

Three attackers smashed a van into pedestrians on London Bridge late on Saturday before going on a stabbing spree which ended with them being shot dead by police.

Seven people died and dozens were wounded in the assault, which was claimed by the Islamic State group.