Children run next to their makeshift shelter near a landslide area after the April 25 earthquake at Jure village in Sindhupalchok, Nepal, May 9, 2015. Photo: Reuters/File

KATHMANDU: Britain's Home Secretary Theresa May recently urged police to investigate into the findings of the Sun newpaper that child survivors of the Nepal earthquake and other vulnerable children are being sold to British families to work as domestic slaves.

According to an investigation carried out by the newpaper, boys and girls as young as 10 are being sold for just £5,300 by black market gangs operating in India’s Punjab province.

The gangs are preying on the children of Nepali refugees as well as destitute Indian families, the newspaper said.

The Britain's Secretary called child trafficking a “truly abhorrent crime” and urged the National Crime Agency to investigate into the findings.

She said the paper should “share its disturbing findings” with the agency, “so that appropriate action can be taken against the vile criminals who profit from this trade”.

“No child, anywhere in the world, should be taken away from their home and forced to work in slavery," she added.

"That is why we introduced the landmark Modern Slavery Act last year, which included enhanced protection for potential child victims of slavery and sentences up to life imprisonment for those found guilty."

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake had struck Nepal on April 25, 2015, killing at least 9,000 people.