Falun Gong stage mass suicide

Fourteen imprisoned followers of the banned Falun Gong sect have committed suicide in a north China labour camp.

They made ropes from sheets and hanged themselves from bunk beds.

Another 11 followers who also took part in the mass suicide on June 20 were rescued by labour camp guards.

The suicide was the most deadly involving Falun Gong practitioners to be officially confirmed by the government since it banned the spiritual movement in July 1999.