Egyptian officials have foiled an attempt to smuggle mummy remains out of the country.

Hamdi Hamam, head of the Central Administration of Archaeological Units at Egyptian ports, told Ahram Online that the remains were found hidden inside the luggage of a passenger who was traveling to Belgium from Cairo Airport.

An x-ray scan detected unusual objects, leading to the discovery of the crime.

An archaeological committee has examined the find and confirmed its authenticity.

Iman Abdel-Raouf, director of the archaeological units, said that the remains belong to two mummies and consist of two feet, two legs, the lower part of a left hand, one arm and a part of the torso.

They were confiscated and will be restored.