Story behind severed foot, washed up on a Bali beach

The mystery surrounding a human foot, found on a popular Bali beach, has been resolved. Warning: Graphic

Warning: Graphic

Investigations surrounding an amputated foot that washed ashore on a popular Bali beach have revealed no sinister cause.

Footage of the foot sparked concern on Friday afternoon (local time) as the images circulated online, primarily through WhatsApp.

But on Sunday local authorities ruled out foul play.

The foot washed ashore at Penimbangan Beach near Singaraja in North Bali, a picturesque beach frequented by tourists.

A human foot was found on Penimbangan Beach in Singaraja in Bali's north on Sunday (local time). Photo: Supplied

On Sunday, it was revealed the severed foot, which appeared to have been cut roughly 15cm above the ankle, belonged to a diabetes patient in their 70s admitted at the nearby Buleleng Regional General Hospital (RSUD).

The foot was swiftly returned to the hospital after its discovery, where the link to the patient was eventually made.

It was later found that the severed right foot was medical waste discarded by he family of the patient. Photo: Supplied

“The organ found at Penimbangan Beach is the result of a medical procedure performed at RSUD Buleleng,” Authorities told The Asean Daily on Sunday.

“To ensure accuracy, the right foot was temporarily secured and handed over to Buleleng Regional Hospital (RSUD Buleleng) for identification,” a spokesperson said.

They said the food was wrapped in yellow plastic and was discovered at the beach on Friday by a local student who first thought it was pork.

The patient, whose right foot it was, underwent an amputation earlier that day.

A spokesperson from the hospital told the media that the hospital had not discarded the foot, but rather, it was given to the patient’s family following the amputation.

The family then disposed of the body part at the beach.

Coconuts reported that a Buleleng Police’s spokesman said the patient’s family would not be fined despite the incident.

Authorities added that body parts should be cremated to avoid environmental pollution.