You're reading: More fetuses found at Thai Buddhist temple

BANGKOK (AP) — Thai police have found more than 2,000 fetuses hidden away at a Buddhist temple in Bangkok that were likely smuggled from illegal abortion clinics.

A strong smell first drew police to the temple, where they discovered more than 300 fetuses Tuesday. Police Lt. Col. Kanathud Musiganont said workers pulled more bodies in the temple’s morgue Friday. More than 2,000 have been unearthed.

Several people have already been arrested in the case: two undertakers for hiding bodies to conceal the cause of death and an abortion clinic employee on charges of operating an unlicensed medical clinic and performing abortions.

Abortion is illegal in Thailand except in cases of rape, if the pregnancy affects the mother’s health or if the fetus is abnormal.