Human Body Parts Found Inside Shark’s Belly Days After Kayaker Went Missing

Human remains were found in a tiger shark’s belly caught off Saint-Leu in the French overseas island of Réunion on Thursday. Authorities believe it to be of a kayaker, who went missing earlier this month near the coast of Saline-les-Bains.

As part of a routine preventive fishing program, conducted to reduce the shark population in the area, scientists dissected the shark and found human limbs and a curb chain in its stomach. The unidentified kayaker, who was in his 70s, went missing on Dec. 12. His relatives said the chain found in the shark's belly belonged to the missing man, according to local publication Chicano.

Forensic tests will be conducted to officially confirm his identity. However, it was not known if the man was bitten by the shark before or after his death.

In November, a British surfer, Olivier Angeloz, died in a shark attack off the coast of Réunion Island following Scottish tourist Richard Turner’s death in October. The latter’s severed hand was found inside a tiger shark caught off the island. The deaths proved that the lagoon is not safe for locals and tourists alike.

The locals have complained of an increasing number of shark attacks on the island since the start of 2011. At least 24 shark attacks were reported as of 2019 among which 11 were proved to be fatal. The area was listed as high-risk by the local officials who asked people to have “utmost vigilance.”