Human body parts found in shark

Human remains were found inside the belly of a shark caught by Thai fishermen in the high seas, a newspaper reported today.

The boat’s crew members were unloading their catch at the Samut Prakan pier south of Bangkok yesterday when they noticed a human leg protruding from the mouth of a shark they caught in Indonesian waters, the Nation said.

When the 12ft shark’s stomach was slit open, the right leg and right forearm of a man were found inside, the newspaper said. The leg bore several bite marks, it said.

More than 20 unborn pups were also found in the womb of the shark that weighed about 300 kilograms (660 pounds), the paper said. The report did not identify the shark species.

The man was probably killed at least a week ago, according to unidentified officials quoted.

The shark remains would be destroyed, the boat owner Kit Meelakchai said in the newspaper.

Shark meat is a delicacy among Thais and other Southeast and Northeast Asians.

The newspaper did not give any other details of the fish and officials in Samut Prakan could not be reached for comment immediately.

Worldwide, there are more than 370 species of sharks.