A father has thrown his two young children to their deaths from a sixth floor apartment balcony in Italy before jumping to his death, police have said.

Brescia police spokeswoman Nicoletta Di Maio said the mother, who was home at the time, is currently in hospital under sedation.

Italian news agency ANSA said the 41-year-old man had lost his job a year ago, but it was not clear if economic difficulties were to blame.

Italy, which is back in recession, has seen a rash of suicides in recent weeks.

Police said the man first threw his children, aged four and 14 months, and then threw himself off the balcony. He died immediately. The children were pronounced dead at the hospital.

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