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A popstar who was bitten by a snake on stage carried on performing for 45 minutes before she collapsed and died.

Indonesian singer Irma Bule, 29, was attacked mid-performance in the village of Karawang in West Java after she stepped on the cobra’s tail.

She thought the king cobra, called Rianti, had been de-fanged but when it bit her thigh it injected venom into her bloodstream.

The cobra was eventually pulled away by a snake handler.

The popstar continued singing for 45 minutes before she began vomiting and having seizures.

She later died in hospital.

Audience member Ferlando Octavion Auzura, told local media: “In the middle of the second song, Irma stepped on the snake’s tail.

“The snake then bit Irma in her thigh.”

The singer, who has used pythons and boa constrictors in previous performances, reportedly refused the offer of an antidote.

Police said they are investigating the incident and have asked people in the audience for information.

King cobras can reach up to 18ft, making them the longest of all venomous snakes.

A single bite is said to contain enough venom to kill 20 people or even an elephant but the snakes avoid humans humans whenever possible.