Scorpion stowaway: UK student shocked by package surprise
A student from the United Kingdom, Sofia Alonso-Mossinger, received quite a shock when a package from the popular Chinese online store Shein, in addition to the ordered shoes, also contained... a live scorpion. The incident took place in Bristol, and the media quickly covered the story, raising questions about the quality control procedures at the Chinese company, as this is not the first such incident.
Alonso-Mossinger admits that at first, she didn't realise what was actually in the package.
At first, I thought it was a toy. But then this 'object' moved. It was a terrifying moment – recalls the student.
The shocking sight turned out to be a real scorpion, which immediately frightened the woman.
Fortunately, thanks to the quick actions of her flatmates, the venomous scorpion was safely contained in a plastic container.
I thought I was dreaming. I'm not bothered by spiders, but finding a scorpion in a shoebox was terrifying – recounted Alonso-Mossinger.
The Chinese company assures adherence to procedures
After discovering the unexpected passenger, the student contacted Shein, informing the company about the incident. In response, the Chinese store assured that all standard procedures had been followed.
Upon receiving feedback, we immediately conducted an internal investigation. Our on-site teams checked the packing process and inspected the goods in the warehouse. It was confirmed that all standard operating processes were followed – stated the company in a communication.
Experts warn of the danger
Despite these assurances, UK media note that this is not the first case of unwanted "additions" appearing in Shein packages. These incidents raise doubts about the quality of control at the company, particularly given the recurrence of similar events.
The scorpion found in the package was identified as belonging to the Olivierus martensii species, also known as the Chinese scorpion. Although not always lethal for adults, it poses a threat, especially to the elderly and children. Its sting can cause severe pain and, in some cases, pose a threat to health and life.
An adult should be able to handle such a sting – reassured Chris Newman from the National Centre for Reptile Welfare, the organisation that cared for the scorpion after its discovery.
The case of Sofia Alonso-Mossinger has drawn attention to the issue of quality control at Chinese online stores, which are very popular in Europe. Despite assurances of procedure adherence, the fact that a live scorpion appeared in a package of shoes raises questions about the safety standards and oversight in place at Shein. This event not only unsettled the student but also attracted the attention of the media and the public, who are watching the situation unfold with concern.
