Sharjah: Police are searching for a woman who dumped a dead foetus in a hotel bin at Sharjah International Airport.

The five to six-month-old male foetus was found wrapped in tissue paper in a transit hotel bathroom on Sunday by a cleaner, a Sharjah Police official told Gulf News.

The cleaner had almost finished his task and was taking out the rubbish when he made the discovery. The palm-sized foetus was dead and could not be resuscitated, the official said.

The foetus was taken to Al Qasimi Hospital then transferred to the forensic laboratory.

The case is with Al Hira Police Station who have launched an investigation into the incident.

A Sharjah Police official said they were cooperating with the airport authorities in a bid to identify the woman.

Abortion is illegal according to Sharia and the woman could face charges if she terminated the pregnancy.