UPDATE on Oct. 14 at 12:30pm: This article has been updated to include a statement by Shein.
Be extra careful when opening your packages.
A university student in the UK opened her Shein package, which contained a pair of boots, and discovered a live scorpion within it.
Speaking to the BBC, Sofia Alonso-Mossinger, 18, thought it was a toy at first until it moved, adding that it had been "pretty scary".
Alonso-Mossinger and her flatmates moved the scorpion into a tub before an expert was called to collect it.
BBC reported that Shein was approached for a comment and said it was looking into the incident.
What is that?
Alonso-Mossinger said that she opened the outer packaging and saw something move.
BBC said that once she realised it was a live scorpion, she zipped up the bag, removed it from her room, and called her flatmates.
One of Alonso-Mossinger's flatmates, Phoebe Hunt, said she heard screaming and rushed to find Alonso-Mossinger with "a live scorpion in a bag on her boots".
Hunt said they were not "exactly buzzing to have a scorpion in the flat" and suggested killing it. However, the other flatmates pointed out that it was not the most humane thing to do.
As such, another flatmate, who studies zoology, transferred the scorpion into a plastic container with kitchen tongs.
BBC added that the flatmates gave the scorpion water on a kitchen towel, which it drank immediately, and some cards to hide under.
They tried to call the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals before contacting the National Centre for Reptile Welfare, which sent someone over within a couple of hours.
According to Chris Newman of the National Centre for Reptile Welfare, the scorpion found is an "Olivierus martensii", commonly known as a Chinese scorpion.
Newman told the BBC that the scorpion's sting would have been "medically significant" and also "potentially life-threatening", but “an average adult would just have a really bad day".
Such reports are not new, as Newman stated that this was their second report in less than a month.
Shein's statement
After receiving feedback on the scorpion in the package, a Shein spokesperson stated that an internal investigation was conducted immediately.
Their team on the ground checked the shipment packing process, carried out an inspection of the goods in their warehouse and confirmed that all standard operating processes had been adhered to.
"We are currently in contact with the affected customer to resolve this issue," said the spokesperson.
Top photos via Wikipedia & Shein/Facebook
