On August 27, 2024, a 57-year-old grandmother tragically lost her life in a python attack while working on a rubber plantation in Muaro Jambi province, Indonesia, situated on the island of Sumatra. This incident has stirred fear within the local population and underscores the threat posed by these huge constrictors.
The victim, Hapsah, was collecting sap from rubber trees when she was assaulted by a 16-foot reticulated python. Despite her resistance, the snake, infamous for its vast strength, easily overcame Hapsah. As it wrapped its body around her, the python slowly constricted her airways, leading to a loss of consciousness.
M Safri, Hapsah’s 66-year-old husband, who was also working on the plantation, grew worried when his wife didn’t return home later that day. His search for her ended in a disturbing discovery. He found the python with its body still coiled around Hapsah’s neck, attempting to ingest her.
Iptu Usaha Sitepu, the Sungai Gelam Police Chief, revealed that M Safri tried to rescue his wife from the python, tugging at its tail and hitting it until the snake finally let go. However, his efforts were in vain.
Hapsah had already lost her life due to the python’s lethal grip by the time Safri reached her. The distressed husband, with assistance from local villagers, transported Hapsah’s body back to their village for funeral preparations.
The news of the attack spread rapidly, inciting a mixture of fear and fury among the locals. A group of villagers formed a mob, tracking down and killing the python responsible for Hapsah’s death. They found the snake hiding near a tree’s roots.
The village leader, Amdi, stressed the extraordinary size of the python. He noted that after the snake was killed, it was brought to the village for public viewing, letting the community observe its immense dimensions.
This tragic event is not unique in Indonesia. Only a few days before Hapsah’s fatal encounter, another woman was attacked by a python in a different part of the country. Maga, a 74-year-old grandmother from Palopo City, was killed by a python while tending to her cows in the forested Sumarambu mountains. In a horrifying development, Maga’s son found only half of his mother’s body remaining after the snake had partially devoured her.
The reticulated python, indigenous to Southeast Asia, holds the record for being the longest snake and the third heaviest serpent globally. These formidable constrictors can grow beyond 20 feet and possess powerful bodies capable of overpowering large prey. Although attacks on humans are relatively uncommon, they do happen, especially in regions where human settlements infringe upon the pythons’ natural habitats.
These snakes are versatile predators, often seen in forests, swamps, and canals. In some instances, they have even been reported to infiltrate urban areas, posing a potential threat to pets and occasionally humans. Their diet generally comprises smaller animals such as rats, birds, and other snakes, but larger ones can capture bigger prey, including deer and crocodiles.
