Families hang themselves in India

Six bodies were found hanging from a tree near a famous temple in southern India.

Police found the bodies of two men, two women and two children after pilgrims complained of an overwhelming stench emanating from the forest near Tirupathi temple in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

A police spokesman said: “The bodies were in a decomposed state. They have been dead at least two days.”

“There were two families. The children must have been between five and six years. They appear to have first consumed poison mixed in milk and then hanged themselves.”

Police said there was no suicide note.

It is believed that any wish made at the temple of Hindu god Venkateshwara, more popularly known as the Tirupathi temple, will come true.

More than 100,000 people visit the temple every day.