A police statement says the remains are those of a woman aged around 70.

The suitcases were recovered  from the waters of the Traunsee at the lakeside town of Gmunden, about 80km east of Salzburg on Sunday, after a man reported seeing a floating piece of luggage.

Investigators were trying to identify the victim.

State-run broadcaster ORF said their task was made more difficult because the remains were incomplete.