Wellington( The COW News Digital) In a shocking medical case, doctors in New Zealand successfully removed nearly 100 powerful magnets from the stomach and intestines of a 13-year-old boy, who had accidentally swallowed them over the course of a week.
According to medical officials at Tauranga Hospital, the magnets—each measuring about 5×2 millimeters—were identified as neodymium magnets, which have been banned in New Zealand since 2013 due to their extreme risk if ingested. The boy reportedly purchased the magnets online through the shopping platform Temu, which is now under investigation.
The boy was admitted to the hospital after suffering severe abdominal pain for four days. An X-ray scan revealed that the magnets had clustered into four linear chains inside his abdomen, sticking different sections of his intestines together.
Doctors said the magnets’ powerful attraction caused intestinal tissue necrosis — a condition where blood flow is cut off, leading to the death of tissue. “His intestines were literally rotting from the inside,” said one of the attending surgeons.
The surgical team, including Benura Lakmalage, Lucinda Duncan-Wear, and Nicola Davis, conducted an emergency operation to remove the damaged sections of the intestines and extract all the magnets. The boy spent eight days recovering in the hospital and is now in stable condition.
The doctors later detailed the case in the New Zealand Medical Journal, calling it a “critical reminder of the dangers of magnetic ingestion and the risks linked to online retail platforms.” They warned that similar cases could lead to intestinal blockages, hernias, or chronic abdominal pain if not treated immediately.
In response, Temu issued a statement expressing concern over the incident, confirming that it had launched an internal investigation. “We are deeply saddened by this case and are reviewing our compliance systems to ensure banned products are not available for sale in New Zealand,” a company spokesperson said.
Medical experts emphasized that small, high-powered magnets remain a growing hazard for children globally, as they can easily be mistaken for toys or decorative items. Health authorities urged parents to monitor children’s online purchases and ensure such materials stay out of reach.
The case has reignited calls for stricter oversight of online marketplaces to prevent dangerous items from reaching consumers — and potentially causing life-threatening harm.
