A human foot was discovered inside a shark stranded on the banks of a river. Now, police are investigating the origin of the human limb, with local reports suggesting it could belong to a fisherman who recently went missing.
The horrific discovery was made in the district of Penbane, located in Mozambique’s province of Zambezia. Belarmina Henrique, a spokesperson for the Police of the Republic of Mozambique in Zambezia, said: “Around 08:00 on Saturday, in the district of Pebane, specifically on the banks of the Muniga river, a shark was found that contained a human foot in its mouth.”
According to the representative, it was believed that the 3.9-metre-long shark could have had other limbs inside its intestine, and was therefore opened, but “no other human organ was found”.
She added: “After becoming aware, a multi-sectoral team composed of the Coastal, Lacustrine and River Police, District Service of Economic Activities, National Criminal Investigation Service and the Community Fisheries Council was formed, which went to the site and removed the animal, which was later buried.
Local sources say it was residents who spotted and pulled the shark out of the water. They also found an industrial fishing hook attached to the animal.
The information was confirmed by the delegate of the National Institue of the Sea (INAMAR) in Pebane, Eliseu Cumbane.
“The information I received is that the shark was dragged by the water to the shore. As there was a multi-sectoral team, including SERNIC, during that operation, they ended up opening the animal and discovered that inside there was a human foot. It was also noted that there was a fishing hook inside,” he said.
Earlier in the week, a fisherman was reported missing at sea, leading to beliefs that the shark may have been involved in the incident.
The victim’s family was called to the scene in an attempt to identify the body part, but the state of decomposition prevents immediate recognition.
According to Belarmina Henriques, it is not known where the limb discovered inside the shark came from at this time. However, efforts are underway to identify its origin.
