A 13-year-old boy in New Zealand was rushed into emergency surgery after experiencing severe internal injuries caused by nearly 200 high-powered magnets he had swallowed, as the New York Post reports.

The magnets, purchased online despite an existing national ban, caused significant intestinal damage and prompted warnings from medical professionals and consumer safety advocates.

The teenager first began experiencing sharp abdominal pains over the course of four days before being admitted to Tauranga Hospital. Once there, he told medical staff that he had swallowed between 80 and 100 small, strong magnets a week earlier. These magnets -- known as neodymium magnets -- are far more powerful than ordinary household types and pose serious health risks when ingested.

Doctors conducted imaging tests, which revealed multiple magnet formations inside the teen’s digestive system. Four chains of tightly connected magnets were lodged at different points along his intestines, each posing a risk of creating pressure between sections of the bowel. This pressure had already led to blocked blood flow in some areas, resulting in necrosis -- dead tissue within the abdominal tract.

Emergency surgery became the only option. Surgeons worked to carefully remove the magnets and cut out damaged portions of the intestines. Though the boy had initially estimated he swallowed about 100 of the magnetic beads, doctors extracted nearly 200 during the lengthy medical procedure.

Magnets sold online despite ban

The New Zealand government placed a ban on the sale of small, high-powered magnets back in 2013 after multiple incidents involving children who accidentally or intentionally ingested them. Despite this prohibition, these magnets are still readily accessible through international online shops. Authorities believe the magnets involved in this latest case were purchased through Temu, a Chinese e-commerce platform known for inexpensive goods.

Temu responded publicly, expressing concern for the child’s well-being. “We are sorry to learn about the reported incident and wish the boy a full and speedy recovery,” a company spokesperson said. However, the company maintained it had not confirmed whether the magnets in question came directly from their site.

In a follow-up statement, Temu claimed that all items listed on its platform are required to meet laws and safety regulations. “The magnets currently available are compliant with New Zealand regulations,” the spokesperson added, also stating that similar items are sold by various retailers both online and in stores.

Doctors, researchers raise red flags

Medical professionals involved in the case later published a report in the New Zealand Medical Journal to highlight the risks of magnet ingestion, particularly involving powerful neodymium varieties. The authors -- doctors Binura Lekamalage, Lucinda Duncan-Were, and Nicola Davis -- stressed that this case reveals not only the dangers magnets pose but also the broader risks of online shopping for vulnerable populations such as children.

“This case highlights not only the dangers of magnet ingestion but also the dangers of the online marketplace for our pediatric population,” the team warned in their report. Cases like this, they said, expose children to harm even when regulations exist to prevent such outcomes.

University of Auckland researcher Alex Sims echoed these concerns, pointing to difficulties regulating online platforms not based in New Zealand. “While enforcement is problematic,” she explained, “it is concerning if children are purchasing goods on online marketplaces.”

Long road to recovery ahead

Following emergency surgery, the boy remained hospitalized for eight days before being discharged. Though doctors managed to remove all the magnets and resect the damaged intestinal tissue, they caution that the child may experience lasting complications. Issues such as chronic abdominal pain, bowel obstructions, or hernias could still impact his health moving forward.

Each neodymium magnet retrieved during surgery measured about 5 by 2 millimeters. When swallowed individually but in large numbers, their magnetism allows them to reconnect inside the body -- even if separated by different sections of tissue. The resulting pressure can rupture internal organs or prevent blood flow, leading to surgical emergencies.

Experts continue to warn that while individual warnings and bans are steps in the right direction, they’re not enough when cross-border e-commerce sites can still deliver banned goods directly into children's hands.

Lessons to learn

1. Know what your children are buying online. With platforms like Temu, Amazon, and Shein offering low-cost items from overseas, parents must monitor the types of objects their kids have access to and educate them on potential dangers.

2. Understand the risks of small magnets. High-powered neodymium magnets can cause significant harm if swallowed. If provided as toys or novelty items, these should be kept out of reach of children at all times, no matter how harmless they may seem.

3. Be aware that existing bans don't guarantee safety. Even in countries like New Zealand with strong regulations, items can still be illegally imported or purchased online. While we can take steps to stay safe, it's essential to remember that being a victim is never one's fault, and understanding these risks helps us protect ourselves and others.

Why this story matters

This case underscores the limitations of local laws when it comes to global online marketplaces. Community awareness needs to go hand-in-hand with policy enforcement to protect consumers, especially vulnerable ones like children.

More robust surveillance and clearer labeling standards could help prevent future incidents like this one.