An Irish tourist has been rushed to hospital after reportedly trying to rob a £30,000 diamond ring by swallowing it.
The incident occurred at a jewellery shop in the Marmaris District of Mugla Province in southwestern Turkey.
Local media report the holidaymaker, named as Ian Campbell, 54, had snatched a ring worth £30,756 before trying to get out of the shop with it clenched in his fist.
He is said to have popped the ring into his mouth before swallowing it (Picture: CEN)
The shop assistant was reportedly suspicious and so locked the front door of the establishment to prevent Campbell leaving with the ring. He is then said to have popped the ring into his mouth before swallowing it.
Police arrived on the scene a short while later and took Campbell to the Marmaris State Hospital on the orders of a prosecutor.
Doctors were instructed to perform surgery to retrieve the ring if it was not returned ‘by natural means’.
It is unclear if the ring has yet been returned (Picture: CEN)
An X-ray taken of Campbell’s stomach reportedly showed the 2.5-carat diamond inside him.
The jeweller told reporters that he was still waiting to have his ring returned and confirmed that he had made a criminal complaint with the police about the incident.
It is unclear if the ring has yet been returned.