India, July 7 -- Five members of a family have been burnt alive in Bihar's Purnia district on suspicion of practising 'witchcraft', media reports said.

Late on Sunday night, a 50-strong mob barged into the house of Sita Devi and accused her of practising 'black magic' in Tetgama village.

The woman's son, 16-year-old Sonu Kumar, said the members of the mob thrashed everyone in the family when he managed to escape and take shelter at a relative's house.

All five, including Sonu's parents, were then set ablaze by the mob, and their bodies were hidden under water hyacinth.

"Sonu Kumar said his family members were beaten and burned on suspicion of practising 'witchcraft' and their bodies were thrown away. We have recovered the bodies," Sha...