The bodies of four babies have been discovered in a storage locker in the western Canadian city of Winnipeg, police say.

An autopsy was underway and police said they are “speaking with a number of individuals” as part of their investigation into the gruesome discovery.

“It’s too early to say what has transpired,” Constable Eric Hofley told a press conference on Tuesday, describing the discovery as “disturbing” and “tragic beyond belief.”

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He said he was unaware of any missing infants in the city.

Even if it was not a case of foul play, he added, “You’re not allowed to store human remains in a storage locker.”

Local media said an employee at the storage facility made the discovery on Monday afternoon, after tracing a foul smell emanating from the tiny corpses.