Circus animals die in India fire

Police in India are investigating the deaths of 21 animals in a Russian circus performing in the western city of Mumbai (Bombay).

Fire engulfed the caged animals on Monday. Four sea lions, 10 dogs and seven cats are believed to have died.

Officials suspect the Russian Circus on Ice abandoned the animals after apparently running into losses.

Staff of the Indian firm which had invited the Russians to Mumbai have also vanished.

Animal rights activists say they are outraged by the incident.

The animals were abandoned and left in their cages in the care of a local minder, police say.