from Daijiworld's special correspondent in Panaji (MB)

Panaji, Feb 15: A mother and her elder son died in the hospital while three of their family members lay in critical condition, after a tourist family from Kerala attempted mass suicide during wee hours of Tuesday at Miramar beach near Panaji.

The incident sent shock waves in the capital city as all the five members were found lying on the sand with vials of poison next to them. People on their morning stroll to this city beach found the family lying unconscious early in the morning and informed the police.

The police stated that another male member of the family remained critical while two teenage girls' situation was stable. The family is learnt to be hailing from Ernakulam and had come to Goa on Monday. The family head is back in Ernakulam and was not accompanying them.

"The woman, Veena, and her eldest son have died, while the other son, admitted to the intensive care unit of Goa Medical College Hospital, is in a critical condition," said Superintendent of Police (north) D K Sawant. (Earlier report had stated that it was a couple, but now it has been clarified that they were mother and son.)

The police have identified the deceased mother as Veena, and the two teenagers as Ashwini (15) and Amrita (12). Police suspect some family problem to be the motive behind the extreme step.

The husband of the woman, Vasudeva, is in Ernakulam and the family came to Goa on Monday, he said. Goa police would contact their counterparts in Kerala for further probe, he added.

Goa: Valentine's Day Shock - Couple Dies in Mass Suicide Bid at Miramar