Jobless Italian throws kids from balcony, kills self

london, May 21 (IANS) A 49-year-old Italian threw his 14-month-old son and four-year-old daughter to their deaths from their sixth-floor balcony and then leaped from it himself in despair after losing his job.

The incident took place in the northern town of Brescia. The unnamed man was unemployed for 18 months after the advertising firm where he worked was hit by the economic crisis, the Daily Mail reported.

Police said neighbours told them he had become increasingly depressed as he struggled to find a new job. He also feared losing his wife and his home.

The man died instantly while both the children initially survived the fall but later died in hospital from their injuries.

Police said the man's wife had been in the apartment at the time. The couple had an argument before he grabbed his children and threw them to their deaths.