ROMANIA: A shepherd has discovered more than 70 human foetuses and three adult human skulls in the forests of northeast Romania.
Investigators said it appeared the foetuses were between three and nine weeks old and had been preserved in formaldehyde at least a decade ago, probably at one of two research laboratories in the nearby university town of Iasi. "I saw five or six dead babies spread on the ground," said shepherd Gabriel Avadanii (24). "There were others in a blue bag but I didn't count them."
Police spokeswoman Madalin Taranu said the foetuses measured between 10cm-40cm and the skulls had been cut into sections. The area has been closed off while the investigation continues, she added.
Romanian officials said workers at one of the research institutes or medical students may have stolen or accidentally broken the containers holding the preserved foetuses, and tried to cover up their mistake by burying them in the forest.
"I have been a criminal investigator for years, I've seen many dead bodies in my life, but I have never seen something as gruesome as this," said Vasilii Pretula, the prosecutor leading the investigation.
