A 13-year-old boy underwent significant surgical intervention after ingesting approximately 100 high-powered magnets purchased on an online platform known as Temu. The incident occurred in New Zealand, where surgeons had to remove a section of the boy’s intestines due to abdominal pain resulting from the ingestion.

The teenager, whose identity remains undisclosed, was admitted to Tauranga Hospital in New Zealand following four days of severe discomfort caused by the magnets he had consumed. According to a report published in the New Zealand Medical Journal, the boy admitted to swallowing a large quantity of 5x2mm neodymium magnets a week before his hospitalization.

The magnets, which had been banned in New Zealand since January 2013, were bought from the Chinese online marketplace Temu. Medical professionals discovered that the magnets had formed four elongated strips inside the boy’s intestines, causing tissue damage and necrosis in multiple areas.

After a surgical procedure to remove the magnets and damaged tissue, the boy was discharged from the hospital after an eight-day stay. The medical team highlighted the risks associated with magnet ingestion and emphasized the need for caution when purchasing items from online platforms, especially for children.

Temu expressed regret over the incident and announced an internal review to ensure compliance with safety regulations in New Zealand. The company stated that they are investigating the matter further to ascertain the source of the magnets and to prevent similar incidents in the future.

In addition, concerns have been raised about the presence of illegal products on Temu’s platform, leading to criticism in the EU.