Authorities baffled by discovery of severed foot found on Paphos beach in Cyprus
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Investigations are ongoing after a severed human foot was discovered on a beach in Paphos, in Cyprus.
On Sunday afternoon, a swimmer at Lara Bay found the foot, severed at the ankle and inside a shoe. The swimmer picked it up, placed it in a plastic bag, and took it to the Peyia police station around 7 p.m.
Police accompanied the man back to the beach, where he indicated the exact location of the discovery. Medical examiners and an anthropologist were notified, and investigations commenced Monday morning.
British doctor Karan Raj provided a possible explanation, citing similar occurrences in the United States and Canada. He explained that when a human corpse sinks to the sea bottom, scavengers quickly feed on the softer tissues, including those around the ankles, causing the foot to detach. Additionally, modern shoes, which are more buoyant, contribute to feet washing up on beaches more frequently.
This incident aligns with the recent trend of bodies washing ashore on Cyprus’ beaches. In the first few months of the year, several bodies were found, including a highly decomposed one in Sotira, Famagusta district, and others on beaches in the Karpas peninsula and near Ayios Epiktitos on the northern coast.
Many of these bodies are believed to be migrants who perished while attempting to reach Cyprus from Lebanon. Following the discovery of multiple bodies near Ayios Epiktitos and Turkey’s southeastern coast, Turkish authorities contacted the Lebanese Embassy regarding a missing ship carrying approximately 90 people from Lebanon to Cyprus.
