MANAMA: A newborn was found dead in a banana carton near a private school in Sanad, the Interior Ministry said yesterday, reports MOHAMMED AL A'ALI.

The forensic deparment is testing the newborn's DNA to identify the parents as well as examining the body to determine the cause of death. The umbilical cord was still attached to the baby's body.

"The newborn's body was found in the morning near Al Ta'won Private School and we are conducting DNA tests to determine the biological parents or one of them," said a ministry spokeswoman.

"Besides, we have to identify the cause of death and whether the newborn was dead before being put in the carton or died of suffocation or heat," she said.

"The body will be taken to Salmaniya Medical Complex's mortuary when investigations are complete," she added.