Police break in after couple threaten suicide

Police forced their way into an apartment in Shanghai's Yangpu district yesterday, after a heavily pregnant woman and her husband apparently threatened to commit suicide during a heated argument.

The husband is being investigated, said officers.

The incident began around 1pm at the Anshan residential complex and lasted about three hours.

Police, firefighters and neighborhood committee staff were at the scene, Shanghai Television reported.

Neighbors said the couple had a big argument with the man's mother on Monday night and threw a computer and clothing from the window.

The dispute escalated yesterday afternoon and the couple said they would commit suicide suddenly around 1pm. Police broke into the apartment around 4pm and brought the couple out.

They have histories of drug abuse, police said.