Austrian burglars get severed heads shock

VIENNA, Sept 23 (Reuters) Burglars in Vienna opted for a speedy getaway after they found eight severed human heads when breaking into the basement of a block of flats, Austrian police said today.

A dentist had stored the mummified heads, which he used for research, in a chest in the basement. Burglars stumbled upon the collection when they broke in, police said.

''The burglars were looking for loot when they discovered the heads,'' said a spokeswoman for Austrian police. ''From what it looks like, they just left them lying and bolted away.'' Austrian authorities said they were investigating whether there had been a breach of the regulations for storing research materials.

REUTERS BDP VC0850