Passengers' lost suitcases were found dumped in the trash at an international airport, report says

• Lost luggage has been put in the trash at an Irish airport, UTV reported.
• Some of the suitcases have been opened, photos shared with UTV appear to show.

Missing luggage belonging to air passengers has ended up in the dump at an Irish airport, UTV first reported.

A whistleblower, who requested to remain anonymous, shared photos with UTV, which showed a handful of suitcases placed in and around a large trash can for disposal outside a warehouse full of lost bags at Dublin Airport in Ireland.

The photos were taken a few days ago in an area used by baggage handling company Sky Handling, UTV reported.

It appears that some of the luggage has been opened, according to UTV.

UTV reported that it showed the photos to Sky Handling, which said the baggage was thrown away for health and safety reasons.

"There have been a handful of cases where bags which have not been recovered and which contain perishable items which are attracting vermin, whereby the bags have had to be removed to be destroyed for health and safety reasons," Sky Handling said in a statement to UTV.

The company has allowed passengers to come to the warehouse at Dublin Airport to see if their luggage is there, per UTV.

Sky Handling didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Dublin Airport told Insider it has no role in baggage handling and advised us to contact the ground handlers.

There are 4,200 lost bags owned by air passengers at Dublin Airport, according to UTV. Sky Handling was dealing with more than 2,800 pieces of luggage at the airport, per UTV.

The incident comes at a time when many passengers have reported losing their luggage after traveling via plane. One traveler told Insider he spent nearly $1,600 on replacement clothes and items after his suitcase went missing after an Air Canada flight from San Diego to Rome. Passengers have also said they've lost wedding dresses and their parents' ashes.