THREE men have been arrested after two female backpackers were found with severe neck injuries in their tent at a popular trekking spot in Morocco.

The tourists from Denmark and Norway, who were in their twenties, were discovered yesterday near the village of Imlil in the High Atlas mountain range where they had set up their tent.

11 Louisa Jespersen and her friend Maren Ueland had been camping when they were horribly attacked Credit: Facebook

They have been named as Louisa Jespersen, 24, from Denmark and Maren Ueland, 28, from Norway who were on a month long trip across the North African country.

According to Morocco World News, a witness, who asked to not to be named, said the women were "allegedly found decapitated", although this has not been verified.

Their bodies were found in a "remote mountainous region" about 6.2 miles from the centre of the village.

It is reported that three suspects from Marrakesh, who were camping nearby, have been arrested in connection with the murder.

11 Maren Ueland shared her passion for outdoor activities with her Danish pal Credit: Facebook

11 Police at the scene of the double murder of the two students who were camping Credit: AFP or licensors

11 Another tourist is said to have found the women dead in their tent Credit: AFP or licensors

11 Police arrive at the scene of the killing Credit: AP:Associated Press

A source told Morocco World News: “The suspects were camping in the same area that the murder took place.

"Witnesses saw the group at night as they were heading to the camp area.”

Police are also said to have identified the suspects through CCTV in local shops in the village.

One of the suspects, according to the source, also left his ID card behind at the camp.

11 The spot where Maren and Louis were found butchered inside their tent Credit: AP:Associated Press

Maren's mum told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that her daughter was a "warm and engaged".

She said: "Her first priority was safety.

"The girls had taken all the precautionary measures before embarking on this trip."

Both were students of "outdoor activities and cultural guidance" at the University of Southeastern Norway.

They had reportedly set up a camp near Imlil which is a popular tourist destination at the foot of the Toubkal peak which is the highest in Africa.

11 Louisa loved the outdoors and wanted to be a professional guide Credit: Facebook

11 Louisa was an outdoor enthusiast who was widely travelled Credit: Facebook

11 Her friend Maren Ueland had been training to be a tourist guide Credit: Facebook

11 The area nearby Mount Toubkal is a popular trekking spot with Western tourists Credit: Getty - Contributor

11 The area is a popular starting point for hikes Credit: Getty Images - Getty

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Norwegian Foreign Minister press officer Ane Lunde told national broadcaster NRK: "We are aware that a Norwegian citizen is reported dead in Morocco.

“We are now working through our Embassy in Rabat to map the situation and find out what has happened.

"In doing this, we are upholding contact with Moroccan authorities."

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