Tsunami victims 'selling kidneys'

The government in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu has launched an investigation into reports of the sale of kidneys by poor fishermen.

Local newspapers say that a number of poor fishermen in the state have been forced to sell their kidneys because of financial pressures.

Those selling their kidneys are believed to have been displaced by the tsunami of December 2004.

Kidney sales are prohibited in India, but donations by relatives are allowed.