Hong Kong  - A Hong Kong husband and wife were found dead with their four dogs after gassing themselves and their pets in their apartment, police said Tuesday.

The childless couple, in their 40s, burned a pan of charcoal in their flat in the city's Sheung Shui district after shutting themselves in with their pet dogs, according to police.

The couple had financial problems and were several months behind on their rent, according to neighbours.

Burning charcoal in a confined, sealed space to give off poisonous carbon monoxide fumes is one of the most common methods of suicide in the city of 6.9 million people, after jumping from high buildings.

The deaths of the couple with their dogs is the sixth such suicide pact since the end of March. Pet dogs and cats have died with their owners in a number of previous charcoal-burning suicides. (dpa)