Police have launched a murder investigation into the deaths of a man and woman in an Aberdeen tower block last night.
The death of a third man happened once police had arrived at the scene of the incident last night – with unconfirmed reports that he fell from the 11th storey flat.
Police and emergency services were rushed to the scene last night at around 8.15pm.
Armed response vehicles, police cars and several ambulances quickly arrived at building and forensic teams are still sweeping the area.
Detective Chief Inspector Keith Hardie from the Major Investigation Team said: “We have launched a thorough investigation to establish the full circumstances of what happened last night.
“Officers attended at Donside Court following reports of a disturbance and found the bodies of a man and a woman within a flat. Both of these deaths are being investigated and treated as murder.
“At this stage, we can also confirm that a second man died at the scene a short time after officers attended. The circumstances of this death are likewise being investigated. Given that officers were present at the time of the death, the Procurator Fiscal has instructed the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner to review the circumstances.
“I would like to reiterate that this stage we are not looking for anyone else in relation to these deaths and I would like to reassure the public that this is a contained incident and there is no wider threat to the community. There will continue to be a police presence in the area as we continue with our investigation into this incident and I want to thank the community for their patience.
“A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal in relation to all three deaths later today.”
Last night thousands of people took to social media as rumours spread that a police officer had been killed in the incident.
However, Police Scotland have confirmed this was not the case.
One social media user, Jada Shand, posted to Facebook: “I stood and watched a man fall from the balcony.”
Another wrote: “I don’t know the people involved but my friends heard shouting and screaming and then a man jumped from the balcony. I still can’t believe it.
“The flats are sealed off and police are combing the area.
“It’s just heartbreaking.”
Katie Forbes said: “Police sirens going crazy down here. What a shame.”
A heavy police presence is being maintained at the scene, with four officers stationed at the entrance to the partially cordoned-off building.
Two police vans and two police cars were on site on Wednesday morning as a handful of mourners left floral tributes.
One resident said she saw a man falling, as she looked out the window of her home on the fifth floor.
The 20-year-old, who asked not to be named, said: “I saw him falling.
“I was playing on my computer and I heard something happening and at that I moment I looked out the window.”
She said she did not know the man well but he “always smiled when you said hello to him”.