In a tragic incident in Saveriyarpuram near Pudukottai (Tuticorin district), Tamil Nadu, a 45-year-old lorry driver, Maria Michael, electrocuted his two minor children before ending his own life.

According to police, Michael’s wife had left the family about six months ago and was reportedly living with another man.

This had left Michael depressed, following which he stopped going for work regularly as a truck driver. Instead, he took up painting jobs occasionally.

On Friday (10 july), Michael reportedly brought food for the children and asked them to go to sleep.

Police said he later tied electrical wires to the children and connected them to a power source before killing himself with the same wire.

His 75-year-old father, Anthony Muthu, who lives with the family, was sleeping outside the room. When the door remained locked till noon on Saturday, he alerted neighbours, who informed Pudukottai police.

Police, who broke open the door, found the three lying dead on a cot with electric wires bound to their bodies.

Pudukottai police have registered a case and are investigating.