Image copyright Malaysia Civil Defence Department Image caption The snake was captured by civil defence officials

A giant python found on a Malaysian building site, that may be the longest ever caught, has died, officials say.

The estimated eight-metre-long (26ft) snake was spotted Thursday under a fallen tree on the island of Penang.

It died on Sunday after laying eggs, Herme Herisyam, operations chief for Penang's Civil Defence Department's southwest district told the BBC.

The current record for longest snake ever caught is 7.67m (25ft), Guinness World Records says.

Image copyright Malaysia Civil Defence Department Image caption Construction workers building a flyover spotted the snake

Image copyright Malaysia Civil Defence Department Image caption The snake died three days later after giving birth

Medusa, a reticulated python weighing 158kg (24st 12lb), is kept at a haunted house in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Malaysian snake, also thought to be a reticulated python, has not been officially measured by record keepers.

Mr Herisyan said it weighed 250kg (39st 5lb) and took 30 minutes to rescue.

Another civil defence official said that the snake's capture and the attention it received likely compounded the stress of laying eggs.

Muhammad Aizat said the snake laid one egg, before going "quiet".

It was due to be transferred to the government's Department of Wildlife before it died.