Police searching for a French tourist who went missing after the London Bridge terror attack have discovered his body in the River Thames.

Xavier Thomas, 45, today emerged as the eighth victim killed in Saturday's atrocity, after he was thrown into the river by the terrorists' van.

Mr Thomas was walking south along the bridge with his girlfriend Christine Delcros, who was left seriously injured in the attack, when a van ploughed into pedestrians.

Khuram Butt, Rachid Redouane and Youssef Zaghba then left the van armed with knives and went on a stabbing spree, killing 8 and injuring 48.

Immediately after the attack, police river boats combed the area for victims and possible attackers, but did not spot Mr Thomas in the water.

Officers were quick to confirm that there were seven people killed, with no mention of Mr Thomas – despite him being reported missing by worried family members.

Xavier Thomas, 45, died after he was thrown into the River Thames by the terrorists' van. He was with his girlfriend, Christine Delcros (pictured), when the attack happened

Police searching for Mr Thomas, who went missing after the London Bridge terror attack, have discovered his body in the River Thames; four miles from where he fell

It was only when it became evident that he had not been taken to one of the five hospitals along with the dead and injured that detectives appealed for information about him and more searches took place on the River Thames.

Today, Metropolitan Police revealed they had discovered his body near Limehouse - four miles downstream from London Bridge and four days after the attack.

Scotland Yard are still yet to officially name any of the dead, with relatives themselves revealing their loved ones had been killed.

The lack of information given to families by police has sparked criticism from the foreign ministries of Australia, France and Spain, while one of the victims’ workplaces even stepped in to hire private detectives to look for him.

Today, police refused to say why they had not identified the victims sooner, only saying ‘there are a number of varying factors’ as to why the dead had still not been formally named.

A spokesman added the force was ‘liaising with the families and hope to formally confirm the victims as soon as we can’.

Floral tributes dedicated to the victims are left at the scene of Saturday night's rampage

Mr Thomas, 45, was walking south on the bridge with his girlfriend when a van (pictured) ploughed into pedestrians, before three knife-wielding terrorists went on a stabbing spree

Detectives appealed for information about him after he was reported missing and searches took place on the River Thames

Post-it notes containing tributes are left near London Bridge, where eight people lost their lives and nearly 50 were injured

An official statement about Mr Thomas read: 'Detectives were appealing for information about Xavier Thomas, 45, a French national who had not been seen since the night of the terrorist attack on London Bridge.

'On Tuesday, June 6 at approximately 7.44pm the body of a man was recovered from the river, near Limehouse, by specialist officers from the Marine Police Unit.

The eight terror victims killed in London Bridge attack Christine Archibald, 30, from British Columbia, Canada James McMullan, 32, from Hackney, east London Alexandre Pigeard, 27, from Normandy, France Kirsty Boden, 28, from Loxton, Australia Ignacio Echeverria, 39, from Las Rozas, Spain Sara Zelenak, 21, from Brisbane, Australia Sebastien Belanger, 36, from Angers, France Xavier Thomas, 45, from Loire-Atlantique, France Advertisement

'Formal identification has not yet taken place, however Mr. Thomas' next of kin have been informed of this development.'

It's understood that Miss Delcros, who is seriously injured, is in a stable condition after undergoing an operation.

On Sunday Miss Delcros' sister Nathalie Cros Brohan wrote online: 'We are on our way to London, my sister Christine Delcros and her boyfriend Xavier Thomas have been victims of #londonattack #LondonBridge.'

'My sister is seriously injured and hospitalised. I appeal to all those who have news of Xavier Thomas that is missing ... he is not one of the 4 French found. We are terribly worried.'

Meanwhile, the seven other London Bridge attack victims who were killed have been named.

The family of Ignacio Echeverria, from Las Rozas in Spain, revealed that he was killed in the massacre after he used his skateboard as a weapon against a knife-wielding jihadi as he tried to save a woman from being attacked.

The 39-year-old, who lived in Poplar, east London, was reported missing after he was last seen on Saturday night lying on the pavement near London Bridge.

His family were angry with the British authorities' lack of information and his employers hired a private detective to investigate.

But today, relative and journalist Isabel Duran confirmed he had died and that he was 'in heaven with his inseparable skateboard'.

Also killed in the attack were Australian nanny Sara Zelenak, 21, French chef Sebastien Belanger, 36, his fellow countryman and friend Alexandre Pigeard, 27, nurse Kirsty Boden, 28, from Australia, British business owner James McMullan, 32, from Hackney and Canadian tourist Christine Archibald, 30, died after being hit by a van.

Mr Echeverria's parents arrived in London yesterday to formally identify their son's body. DNA samples were required as well as his fingerprints.

His relative and journalist Isabel Duran tweeted: 'Ignacio Echeverría attacked the terrorists to try to save a woman. He is in heaven with his inseparable skateboard #héroeespañol'

The Spanish Foreign minister, Alfonso Dastis, has criticised British authorities for not acting quickly enough to identify the victims.

Fernando Vergara, the brother-in-law of Mr Echverría said: 'Families of the victims of LB attacks feel mistreated by lack of information leading to unnecessary agony. 63 hrs still no news.'

The mother of Australian nanny Sara Zelenak, from Brisbane, today confirmed her daughter had died on Facebook.

Ignacio Echeverria, from Las Rozas in Spain was reported missing after he was last seen on Saturday night lying on the pavement near London Bridge. A relative today confirmed he was among the dead

A skateboard emblazoned with messages dedicated to Ignacio Echeverria, who was making his way back from a skate park when he was killed in the terror attack

But today, relative and journalist Isabel Duran confirmed he had died and that he was 'in heaven with his inseparable skateboard'

The mother of Australian nanny Sara Zelenak (pictured) today confirmed her daughter had died on Facebook

The mother of Australian nanny Sara Zelenak, from Brisbane, today confirmed her daughter had died on Facebook.

Julie Wallace wrote: 'Sara Zelenak is confirmed dead, they found her body and has DNA tests confirmed. Thank you for all the overwhelming love and support from everyone.'

She usually called her mother everyday from London where she worked as a nanny.

But she hadn't answered her phone or responded to texts since she got separated from her friends the moment chaos broke out in central London.

Her best friend Sam Hetherington wrote a touching tribute on Facebook.

She said: 'Our beautiful Sara Zelenak. The closest friend to Bea and I since we were in year 7. You bought so much joy into our lives, to me an Bea for so long and also to Mum and Dad, who took you under their wing like no other. I can't believe we don't get to grow old together.

'Just Thursday I messaged you and you told me everything will always work out. You would be so overwhelmed by the love from everyone and probably be very salty from the dorky pictures we have together that are all over the world hahaha. Rest easy wherever you are, I hope there is lots of KFC and hot boys with you.'

Missing Frenchman Sebastien Belanger was also confirmed dead today, in the aftermath of the terror attack

French chef Sebastien Belanger, 36, killed by terrorists after watching football in a pub

Today, his girlfriend, Gerda Bennet changed her social media profile picture to one of her and Mr Belanger and wrote: 'My love'

Missing Frenchman Sebastien Belanger was also confirmed dead today.

His girlfriend, Gerda Bennet, who was in Malta at the time of the attack, returned to London and posted appeals to find him on Facebook.

An appeal page, called Help Us Find Sebastien Belanger was created.

French media reported that the 36-year-old was in Boro Bistro when the terrorists struck and that he was a friend of Alexandre Pigeard, who was also killed.

He was out with Mr Pigeard and other friends watching the Champions League final between Juventus and Real Madrid at The Barrowboy & Banker, before moving on to the wine bar.

His personal Facebook page states that he has worked at Blueprint Cafe, near Tower Bridge, and Coq D'Argent, in Bank. He had lived in London for seven years.

Today, Miss Bennet changed her social media profile picture to one of her and Mr Belanger and wrote: 'My love.'

Victims of the London Bridge massacre

By Anthony Joseph for MailOnline

All eight victims who were killed in Saturday night's attack on London Bridge have now been named by their families.

Christine Archibald, 30, from British Columbia, Canada

On Monday, it was revealed that Canadian Christine Archibald, 30, had died in her fiance's arms after being struck by a speeding van.

Ms Archibald worker at a homeless shelter, would have had 'no understanding of the callous cruelty that caused her death', her family have said.

She was the first victim of the atrocity in London Bridge on Saturday night to be named. The attack killed seven people and critically injured 21 others.

It is believed she was one of those hit by a hired van which attackers swerved on and off the pavement on Saturday night, ploughing into pedestrians.

The first victim of the London Bridge terror attack was named as Canadian Christine Archibald. Friends asked well-wishers to volunteer for a good cause in tribute to her

Ms Archibald, who worked at homeless shelter, died in the arms of her fiance Tyler Ferguson

The 30-year-old moved from her native British Columbia to live in Europe with her fiance

Ms Archibald's fiance, Tyler Ferguson, held her in his arms as she died, his sister revealed on Sunday.

Mr Ferguson's sister wrote on Facebook: 'Last night in London, my baby brother, lost the love of his life on the London Bridge.

'In a split second his entire life was ripped away from him. Hearing his painful sobs on the phone while he's alone trying to deal with this tears me apart.

'I have no words. If you know Tyler, please be there for him now, and later when what happened sinks in, he's going to need us all.'

Ms Archibald, a worker in a homeless shelter, moved from her native British Columbia to live in Europe with her fiance.

Her devastated family said: 'We grieve the loss of our beautiful, loving daughter and sister. She had room in her heart for everyone and believed strongly that every person was to be valued and respected.

'She lived this belief working in a shelter for the homeless until she moved to Europe to be with her fiancé. She would have had no understanding of the callous cruelty that caused her death.

'Please honor her by making your community a better place. Volunteer your time and labor or donate to a homeless shelter. Tell them Chrissy sent you.'

James McMullan, 32, from Hackney, east London

James McMullan, 32, was enjoying a night out with school friends to celebrate the launch of a new £1million business when he was caught in the attack

James McMullan, 32, was enjoying a night out with school friends to celebrate the launch of a new £1million business when he was caught in the attack.

British victim, James, was working on a web-based business to 'revolutionise education', according to his father, Simon.

The 61-year-old vowed to work on his 'exceptional' son's business.

He said: 'At this point in time the subject is too raw. I'm just going to try to keep the business that he was doing alive. He was working on it for two years.'

Mr McMullan added: 'He was on the verge of signing his first contract, a $1.5 million deal.

'It will radically change the face of education - I am going to continue his work. My son really was an exceptional man.'

His sister Melissa, right, fought back tears as she confirmed her brother's death on Sky News in an emotional statement

His younger sister Melissa fought back tears as she paid moving tribute to him and issued a heartfelt plea for people to oppose the terrorists.

Miss McMullan, 30, said: 'While our pain will never diminish, it is important for us all to carry on with our lives in direct opposition to those who would try to destroy us and remember their hatred is the refuge of small-minded individuals and will only bring more.

'This is not a course we will follow, despite our loss.'

Those killed in Saturday's attack have not yet been formally identified, but Miss McMullan said her brother's bank card had been found on one of the bodies.

He is believed to be the only British victim to have died.

Mr McMullan, from Hackney, was with old school friends at the Barrowboy and Banker pub when he stepped outside, moments before the terrorists crashed their van and began stabbing people indiscriminately.

His sister said it had been his first night out in months as he had been working round-the-clock as he prepared to launch a new e-learning business.

His younger sister Melissa fought back tears as she paid moving tribute to him and issued a heartfelt plea for people to oppose the terrorists

She praised her 'generous and caring' brother, saying: 'Words will never be able to match his essence. There will only ever be one James.

'Nowhere else will you find such humour and unique personality in someone who put friends and family above all else. He was an inspiration.'

She said her family wanted to thank the emergency services, adding: 'They did their utmost to serve and protect the population of London from these deranged and deluded individuals.'

Melissa McMullan wrote an emotional tribute to her brother on her Instagram account on Monday night

In an emotional tribute, Melissa posted a picture of James dressed up as a washing machine.

She wrote: 'This was my big brother. It's the photo that best describe James. Anyone at bestival that year would have seen a washing machine wondering round. He was generous, kind and overwhelmingly knowledgeable.

'We would always to struggle to keep up with the 10 difference conversations he was clearly trying to have with you but he was so passionate about all 10 you couldn't help but smile and nod.

'Everything he did was for his family and friends. He was always there to support everyone in their personal issues or business ventures.

'If there was an event he was there, in the front of the queue or crowd cheering you on.

'He was an incredible person. Words cannot come close to how much we loved him as a family. ❤'

Kirsty Boden, 28, from Loxton, Australia

Kirsty Boden, 28, from Loxton, in South Australia, was attacked by the knife-wielding terrorists while coming to the aid of another injured person

Kirsty Boden, 28, from Loxton, in South Australia, was attacked by the knife-wielding terrorists while coming to the aid of other injured people.

Her family have paid tribute to her, saying: 'As she ran towards danger, in an effort to help people on the bridge, Kirsty sadly lost her life.

'We are so proud of Kirsty's brave actions, which demonstrate how selfless, caring and heroic she was, not only on that night, but throughout all of her life.'

Kirsty Boden (pictured), from Loxton, in South Australia, is the fourth confirmed victim of the weekend's London terror attack

Graduating from Flinders University in 2009, Ms Boden moved to the UK and began working as a health professional a few years later.

But when not at work Ms Boden often travelled, detailing trips to Liverpool, Germany, Bulgaria Switzerland and Lithuania through her blog.

And now a haunting post on Ms Boden's blog documenting her European travels has been revealed, saying: 'At risk of sounding cliche, life is short and we should all use the time we have wisely.'

Graduating from Flinders University in 2009, Ms Boden moved to the UK and began working as a health professional a few years later

Ms Boden often travelled, detailing trips to Liverpool, Germany, Bulgaria Switzerland and Lithuania through her blog

Recently she also journeyed to Kiev, in Ukraine, to attend Eurovision - supporting her home nation by wearing an Australian flag T-shirt.

'I'm just your average dreamer, with a full time job and a constant longing to go where I haven't been,' Ms Boden wrote on her blog.

'I have big travel dreams but I am realistic.

'She ran towards danger to help others. We are so proud of her': Family of fourth London Bridge terror victim's emotional tribute to their selfless, caring hero Kirsty Boden, 28, from Loxton, in South Australia, was attacked by the knife-wielding terrorists while coming to the aid of another injured person. Her family have paid tribute to her, saying: 'As she ran towards danger, in an effort to help people on the bridge, Kirsty sadly lost her life. 'We are so proud of Kirsty's brave actions, which demonstrate how selfless, caring and heroic she was, not only on that night, but throughout all of her life.' Advertisement

'I recognise that I might not go everywhere but I should definitely go everywhere I can, and so should you!'

The Department of Foreign Affairs in Australia confirmed they are providing her family with assistance.

'We're putting in place all the appropriate measures to provide support for the families that were associated with this particular notification,' South Australian premier Jay Weatherill said today.

'It's a matter for DFAT to confirm the matter and to identify the particular Australian citizen we are gravely concerned about.'

Responding to news, Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, said:

'We are devastated to hear the NHS has lost one of its own. Our thoughts go out to everyone who knew Kirsty Boden, a nurse who worked at Guy's Hospital in London, now confirmed as one of Saturday's victims.

'It is truly humbling that bright, hard-working people like Kirsty were brave enough to run towards danger in aid of victims lying helpless on the bridge following such a barbaric attack.

'Together with the other emergency services, NHS staff have responded swiftly and with the professionalism for which they are renowned to a major incident and are providing the treatment, care and support that is needed.

'It shows once again that the high esteem in which the health service is held by the public is well placed.'

Alexandre Pigeard, 27, from Normandy, France

Frenchman Alexandre Pigeard, 27, from Colleville-Montgomery, in Normandy, was killed at the Boro Bistro restaurant where he worked

Alexandre Pigeard was a waiter at the Boro Bistro, by the River Thames and was stabbed in the neck in front of friends.

Manager Vincent Le Berre, from Brittany, described the terrifying moment where one of the terrorists jumped on to the roof of the bar to launch his attack.

He told the Telegramme news outlet that: 'One of the attackers got on to the roof of the bar and jumped on the parasol on the terrace, wounding one of my colleagues.

'He immediately attacked a client who was killed. I managed to escape, but my friend Alexandre did not have a chance. He was stabbed in the neck with a knife.'

He was originally from Caen, and had completed his schooling at the Hérouville-Saint-Clair high school.

He was a huge fan of electronic music collective, and organised gigs for Cargo, the Caen music venue, and the Nordik Impakt electronic music festival.

Mr Pigeard had been living in London for two and a half years, after moving from Colleville-Montgomery, a small town nestled on the banks of the River Orne between Caen and Ouistreham.

Frederic Loinard, the town's mayor, said: 'Alexander was from our town' and hugely liked and respected.

Sebastien Belanger, 36, from Angers, France

Missing Frenchman Sebastien Belanger was also confirmed dead today

His girlfriend, Gerda Bennet, who was in Malta at the time of the attack, returned to London and posted appeals to find him on Facebook

Missing Frenchman Sebastien Belanger was also confirmed dead today.

His girlfriend, Gerda Bennet, who was in Malta at the time of the attack, returned to London and posted appeals to find him on Facebook.

An appeal page, called Help Us Find Sebastien Belanger was created.

French media reported that the 36-year-old was in Boro Bistro when the terrorists struck and that he was a friend of Alexandre Pigeard, who was killed.

He was out with Mr Pigeard and other friends watching the Champions League final between Juventus and Real Madrid at The Barrowboy & Banker, before moving on to the wine bar.

His personal Facebook page states that he has worked at Blueprint Cafe, near Tower Bridge, and Coq D'Argent, in Bank. He had lived in London for seven years.

Today, Miss Bennet changed her social media profile picture to one of her and Mr Belanger and wrote: 'My love.'

Girlfriend, Gerda Bennett said Sebastien was 'exactly at the place where the attack happened' and had not heard from him

She wrote: 'I still have no news. Please if anyone has seen him or knows anything contact me'

Sara Zelenak, 21, from Brisbane, Australia

Australian Sara Zelenak (pictured) usually called her mother everyday from London where she worked as a nanny

The mother of Australian nanny Sara Zelenak, from Brisbane, today confirmed her daughter had died on Facebook.

Julie Wallace wrote: 'Sara Zelenak is confirmed dead, they found her body and has DNA tests confirmed. Thank you for all the overwhelming love and support from everyone.'

She usually called her mother everyday from London where she worked as a nanny.

But she hadn't answered her phone or responded to texts since she got separated from her friends the moment chaos broke out in central London.

Her best friend Sam Hetherington wrote a touching tribute on Facebook.

She said: 'Our beautiful Sara Zelenak. The closest friend to Bea and I since we were in year 7. You bought so much joy into our lives, to me an Bea for so long and also to Mum and Dad, who took you under their wing like no other. I can't believe we don't get to grow old together.

'Just Thursday I messaged you and you told me everything will always work out. You would be so overwhelmed by the love from everyone and probably be very salty from the dorky pictures we have together that are all over the world hahaha. Rest easy wherever you are, I hope there is lots of KFC and hot boys with you.'

Ignacio Echeverria, 39, from Las Rozas, Spain

The family of Ignacio Echeverria, from Las Rozas in Spain, revealed that he was killed in the massacre after he used his skateboard as a weapon against a knife-wielding jihadi as he tried to save a woman from being attacked

The family of Ignacio Echeverria, from Las Rozas in Spain, revealed that he was killed in the massacre after he used his skateboard as a weapon against a knife-wielding jihadi as he tried to save a woman from being attacked.

The 39-year-old, who lived in Poplar, east London, was reported missing after he was last seen on Saturday night lying on the pavement near London Bridge.

His family were angry with the British authorities' lack of information and his employers hired a private detective to investigate.

But today, relative and journalist Isabel Duran confirmed he had died and that he was 'in heaven with his inseparable skateboard'.

Also killed in the attack were Australian nanny Sara Zelenak, 21, French chef Sebastien Belanger, 36, his fellow countryman and friend Alexandre Pigeard, 27, nurse Kirsty Boden, 28, from Australia, British business owner James McMullan, 32, from Hackney and Canadian tourist Christine Archibald, 30, died after being hit by a van.

Mr Echeverria's parents arrived in London yesterday to formally identify their son's body. DNA samples were required as well as his fingerprints.

His relative and journalist Isabel Duran tweeted: 'Ignacio Echeverría attacked the terrorists to try to save a woman. He is in heaven with his inseparable skateboard #héroeespañol'

The Spanish Foreign minister, Alfonso Dastis, has criticised British authorities for not acting quickly enough to identify the victims.

Fernando Vergara, the brother-in-law of Mr Echverría said: 'Families of the victims of LB attacks feel mistreated by lack of information leading to unnecessary agony. 63 hrs still no news.'

Xavier Thomas, 45, from Loire-Atlantique, France

On Wednesday, the Metropolitan Police revealed that they discovered his body near Limehouse - four miles from London Bridge

Xavier Thomas, 45, was named as the eighth victim killed in the atrocity at the weekend, after he was thrown into the river by the terrorists' van.

Mr Thomas was walking south on the bridge with his girlfriend Christine Delcros when a van ploughed into pedestrians, before three knife-wielding terrorists went on a stabbing spree.

Miss Delcros is seriously injured in hospital and has undergone an operation.

Detectives appealed for information about him after he was reported missing and searches took place on the River Thames.

On Wednesday, the Metropolitan Police revealed that they discovered his body near Limehouse - four miles from London Bridge.

An official statement about Mr Thomas read: 'Detectives were appealing for information about Xavier Thomas, 45, a French national who had not been seen since the night of the terrorist attack on London Bridge.

'On Tuesday, June 6 at approximately 7.44pm the body of a man was recovered from the river, near Limehouse, by specialist officers from the Marine Police Unit.

'Formal identification has not yet taken place, however Mr. Thomas' next of kin have been informed of this development.'

It's understood that Miss Delcros, who is seriously injured, is in a stable condition after undergoing an operation.

On Sunday Miss Delcros' sister Nathalie Cros Brohan wrote online: 'We are on our way to London, my sister Christine Delcros and her boyfriend Xavier Thomas have been victims of #londonattack #LondonBridge.'

'My sister is seriously injured and hospitalised. I appeal to all those who have news of Xavier Thomas that is missing ... he is not one of the 4 French found. We are terribly worried.'