POLICE continue to hunt for two killers after a savage robbery in Phnom Penh's Tuol Kork district on Sunday morning. Two teenage girls were beaten to death with a steel pipe in the attack. Police confirmed a 4-year old boy, who was severely injured, died later in hospital.

Police said the motive was likely revenge, as the victims were killed after being robbed.

Deputy police chief for serious crimes, Pol Pithey, said the victims were the daughters of Tep Darong, president of the Royal Academy for Judicial Professions, and his nephew.

Toeuk Loak 3 commune police Chief Khim Vanna said the men stole the equivalent of US$24,000 in cash, jewellery and a Toyota Rav4.

Neighbour Kim Dara told the Post a crowd of people flocked to the house in the morning after hearing the news. They told him the mother had gone to the market to run her noodle shop, but that one of her daughters had phoned asking her to come home as her nephew was ill.

Kim Dara said that, on returning to the house, the mother was beaten senseless. She was the only survivor of the attack.