Farmer discovers body in Dutch field, possibly stowaway fallen from aircraft

A tragic discovery was made in the Dutch village of Abbenes (North Holland) on Thursday, where a farmer found a body while ploughing his field. According to local police, one of the possible scenarios under investigation is that the victim was a stowaway who fell from the landing gear of an aircraft.

The body was discovered on a field along the Hoofdweg on Thursday evening. The farmer immediately alerted the authorities, who have since cordoned off the area for a detailed forensic investigation.

“You can only conduct forensic research once. It’s a complex investigation, so we expect to be busy for a while,” a police spokesperson told regional broadcaster NH Nieuws.

Police are using drones and sniffer dogs to search the surrounding area for clues that might help determine the cause of death.

All scenarios open, including foul play

While investigators are focusing on the possibility of a stowaway falling from an aircraft’s undercarriage during approach to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, other scenarios, including foul play, have not been ruled out.

According to a local resident quoted by NH Nieuws, the body may have been partially covered by clay, which could explain why it was not immediately visible to the farmer working the field. Police have not confirmed this detail.

Over the past years, several similar cases have occurred in the Netherlands, often involving stowaways attempting to reach Europe by hiding in aircraft landing gear compartments — a highly dangerous and often fatal journey.

Source: Ploegende boer vindt lichaam op akker, ‘mogelijk uit vliegtuig gevallen verstekeling’ (NH Nieuws)