Five villagers have confessed to the gang rape of a Swiss tourist in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. A sixth suspect, aged 19, has been detained in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh and would be returned to the area, police said.

In another shocking blow for India's international reputation, the 39-year-old woman was attacked by an armed group of men, who beat her and gang-raped her in front of her husband, who was handcuffed and assaulted.

The men arrested are all reportedly members of the Kanjar tribe, a historically nomadic ethnic group who, traditionally, sold rope and other crafts to villagers, but who also have a reputation for violence, kidnapping, and "dacoity", or banditry.

Police official MS Dhodee said the attack was a spur-of-the-moment crime.