A portion of a 14-year-old boy’s skull that doctors had temporarily removed due to brain swelling, has gone missing at a hospital in Minab, Hormozgan Province.

Reports say that the teenager, identified as Hamza, sustained a brain injury in a motorbike accident in May. Initial cranioplasty surgery involved the removal of part of his skull to relieve pressure on his brain from swelling.

Doctors planned to reattach the piece of skull after recovery, but Hamza's father revealed to local media that during a recent hospital visit, medical staff informed him that the missing portion was "unavailable."

Authorities are investigating the matter and said that if negligence is established, appropriate legal action will be taken.

Dr. Hasan Zarei, Deputy of Treatment at Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, said that Hamza's cranioplasty, during which a titanium implant was inserted in place of the removed section, was conducted “successfully” last Thursday. Regarding the missing piece, he said, “experts are currently investigating the matter and emphasized that any deviation from scientific and legal protocols will be addressed in accordance with regulations.”

He added that this surgery is a common medical procedure globally and urged trust in the medical institution.

Meysam Salehi, head of Hazrat-e Abolfazl Hospital in Minab also confirmed that investigations are ongoing and confirmed that in the case of negligence, “appropriate legal measures will be taken”.

According to medical officials in Hormozgan Hamza's vital signs are stable, and he has been discharged from intensive care, remaining under hospital care in the surgical ward.