world

Updated: Sep 10, 2015 16:29 IST

A man in China reportedly bit off his wife's nose and ate it after she did not pick up his calls.

The couple, from the city of Dezhou in China, allegedly got into a fight after the woman did not answer her husband's calls after a late work shift earlier this week.

Enraged, her husband apparently stormed into her work place the following day and attacked her, biting off her nose and then swallowing it, according to the People's Daily Online.

The woman, identified only as Yang, told Shangdong Television station, "And the next thing I knew, he pushed my head towards the way and ate my nose in one go."

Doctors have claimed the damage to Yang's nose is so severe she will require extensive surgery. Almost her entire nose, including the nasal septum, soft triangle and nose tip, were eaten.

Surgeons believe it will be at least three months before her nose can be cosmetically reconstructed, British daily The Independent reported.

The couple, who were both divorcees when they married, appeared to have a tumultuous relationship.

According to local news reports, Yang claims her husband -- who had two grown-up children from his previous marriage --attempted to sell the couple's child so she could care for his grandchildren. When Yang refused, the couple separated, although she claims he continued to ring her regularly.

Police are reportedly attempting to locate her husband, who remains at large.