Eight people from the same family attempted suicide by consuming poison in their house in Madurai on Sundayevening. While five of them died on the spot, one succumbed in the hospital and two others are battling for their life, reports TNIE.

According to the reports, the family consisted of Kurunjikumaran, his mother Jagajothi, wife Thangaselvi (40), daughters Jayamonika (18) and Tharani. His brother Velmurugan, his wife Devi (45) and his daughter Jayasakthi also lived in the same house.  

They owned a private school in Madurai and also dabbled in the real estate sector. The police reportedly found a suicide note in which the family claimed to be ending their lives over debt incurred in running the school. Relatives went to their house on Sunday evening, after none of them answered their phones. When no one answered the door, the broke into the house.

One of the relatives alleged that the 108 ambulance that they called for immediately arrived 45 minutes late at the spot forcing them to take members of the family on two wheelers and passing vehicles.

“As a result, Jayamonika was taken to the hospital by our relatives on a two wheeler. Devi was taken to the hospital in an auto and Thangaselvi was taken to the hospital in a private mini bus that was passing through the area,” said their relative Ravichandran to TNIE.

They were all taken to the Government Rajaji Hospital for treatment.