HOUSTON -- Dozens of pieces of luggage were found in a Dumpster several miles from George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Tuesday, KPRC Local 2 reported.

The luggage was discovered in a Dumpster outside a pets store on the North Freeway near F.M. 1960. The store was going to use the Dumpster to get rid of debris from a recent fire.

Harris County sheriff's deputies said the 68 pieces of luggage belonged to people who flew internationally on Continental, Lufthansa, British Airways and US Airways and several other airlines.

Investigators said some of the luggage had been opened and had valuables removed.

One of the bags belonged to a woman from Mexico City who said she lost a computer and a camcorder in her luggage. She is trying to figure out how her luggage ended up in Houston when she never traveled through the city. She started in Portland and had layovers in Las Vegas and Phoenix.

Some travelers were worried about what could happen to their lost luggage.

"I have all my Christmas presents in there," traveler Elaine Mogabgab said.

Officials with Continental Airlines said they have the luggage and are trying to reunite it with their owners.

The FBI and Houston Police Department are working to determine how the luggage ended up in the trash.