- A headless and burning body with no limbs was found by a runner in Alicante
- The torso was still smouldering when it was found on the side of the road
- Police believe the incident could be connected to the drug trade
Police in Spain are investigating the discovery of a still-burning torso at a popular beauty spot.
A man out running in the countryside around Alicante made the gruesome find just as preparations were being made for the traditional bonfires of San Juan.
The torso was lying by the side of a road and was still smouldering, according to reports. There was no sign of any legs, arms or head.
Police are not sure whether the victim was a man or a woman though they believe, subject to a post mortem, that they were probably male.
The first theory is that the incident could be connected to a settling of scores over drugs.
Police are still investigating after a burning torso was found in Alicante, Spain (File image)
A man out running in the countryside made the gruesome find (File image of Alicante)
The runner who spotted the body in the area of La Serreta, west of the city, immediately called the emergency services.
The remains were still burning when the alarm was raised early yesterday morning.
Police from the Violent Crime Group and Aerial Media Unit have been searching the scene, using a drone to try and find the rest of the body.
A suitcase has also been found nearby but there was no trace of the limbs nor the head.
The human remains of the dismembered person have been transferred to the Alicante Institute of Legal Medicine, where an autopsy will be performed today.
In addition to clarifying whether the victim is a man or a woman, the forensic experts will try to find out if there are any stab, gunshot or trauma injuries that could have caused the death.
Identification will only be possible through DNA given the state of the remains and police will review reports of missing persons.