A woman has been swallowed whole by a giant python as she gardened in Indonesia.

Villagers launched a search for Wa Tiba, 54, after she was reported missing on the island of Muna on Thursday evening.

The bloated snake was found close to the victim's belongings, including her sandals and a flashlight.

The villagers cut open the 23ft-long creature and found Ms Tiba's body was intact after she had been swallowed head first.

The village's chief, known as Faris, said: "When they cut open the snake's belly they found Tiba's body still intact with all her clothes."


A police spokesman added: "Residents were suspicious the snake swallowed the victim, so they killed it, then carried it out of the garden.

"The snake's belly was cut open and the body of the victim was found inside."

The garden was at the base of a rocky cliff and known to be home to snakes, the spokesman said.

Giant pythons, which regularly top 5.7m (19ft) , are commonly found in Indonesia and the Philippines.

While the snakes have been known to attack small animals, attempts to eat people are rare.

In March last year, a farmer was killed by a python in the village of Salubiro on Sulawesi island.