In a shocking turn of events, Indonesia has witnessed the tragic deaths of two women, both swallowed whole by massive reticulated pythons in the span of just a few days. These horrific attacks, occurring in separate villages, have reignited fears and discussions about these rare yet deadly encounters.

A Shocking Garden Incident

On April 9, 2025, a 55-year-old woman named Wa Siti mysteriously vanished while picking vegetables in her garden on Buton Island, South Sulawesi. The alarm was raised by her son when he discovered her unattended basket at the scene.

A frantic search by family members and villagers led to a chilling discovery: a 7-meter python had coiled around her body, its mouth already engulfing her head. Police inspector One Hardi recounted the scene, describing the devastating moment when villagers found her an unthinkable fate.

Swiftly, the locals took action, using machetes to decapitate the snake, but it was tragically too late as Wa Siti had already succumbed. Her community mourned her loss, gathering for a poignant funeral shortly thereafter.

Another Gruesome Event Just Days Before

Only days prior, a similar horror struck in South Sulawesi province, nearly 500 kilometers away. A 36-year-old woman named Siriati disappeared while out to purchase medicine for her sick child.

Her husband, Adiansa, found her belongings discarded along a path and soon noticed a python lurking nearby, its belly swollen ominously. Calling for assistance, villagers cut open the snake, only to discover Siriati's lifeless body inside, a situation confirmed by local police authorities.

A Chilling Rise in Fatal Encounters

These startling incidents are not mere coincidences; Indonesia has seen an alarming number of similar cases in recent years. Notable incidents include a woman in Jambi province swallowed whole in 2022 and another tragic case in 2018, where a 54-year-old woman was found dead inside a seven-meter python.

The reticulated python, known scientifically as Malayopython reticulatus, is native to Southeast Asia and can reach lengths surpassing 20 feet. Records show that the longest one ever measured was a staggering 33 feet—almost the length of a bowling lane.

While these snakes typically shy away from human encounters, habitat destruction and increased encroachment into their territories may be heightening the likelihood of deadly interactions.

Communities Grieve and React

In both harrowing cases, the swift actions of family and local residents were commendable, yet unfortunately insufficient to prevent the tragedies. The victims, engaged in everyday tasks, posed no threat to the snakes.

In the aftermath of these events, neighbors came together to recover the victims' bodies, transporting them back for burial in a somber reflection of their shared grief. As these rare yet devastating occurrences continue to unfold, local communities are left grappling with the shocking realities of living in proximity to these formidable creatures.