Scores of children at a school in Peru have suffered seizures and described visions of a man in black trying to kill them in what locals say was a mass case of 'demonic possession'.

Disturbing footage has emerged of up to 80 students convulsing, screaming and fainting at Elsa Perea Flores School in northern Peru's Tarapoto.

Experts are struggling to explain the hysteria that broke out at the school, which was reportedly built on a Mafia graveyard.

Scores of children at a school in Peru have suffered seizures and described visions of a man in black trying to kill them in what locals say was a mass case of 'demonic possession'

Disturbing footage has emerged of up to 80 students convulsing, screaming and fainting at Elsa Perea Flores School in northern Peru's Tarapoto

Dozens of youngsters have been experiencing the supposedly contagious 'condition' since it was first reported in April.

Children aged between 11 and 14 are reportedly fainting and having strong muscular convulsions.

Shocking video shows pupils who are barely conscious, repeatedly screaming, and who appear to be delirious.

Doctor Antony Choy told national channel Panamericana TV: 'We don't understand how this has kept going on.

'We know it started on April 29 and now it is still happening. Now there are almost 80 pupils [still affected].'

Experts are struggling to explain the hysteria that broke out at the school, which was reportedly built on a Mafia graveyard

Dozens of youngsters gave been experiencing the supposedly contagious 'condition' since it was first reported in April

Children aged between 11 and 14 are reportedly fainting and having strong muscular convulsions

Elsa de Pizango, a concerned mother whose daughter has experienced some of the symptoms, said: 'She fainted in school. They didn't say anything at the hospital. She just fainted. She keeps on spitting froth from her mouth.'

Describing her experience, a pupil not named in local media, said: 'It's disturbing for me to think about it. It's as if someone kept on chasing me from behind.

'It was a tall man all dressed in black and with a big beard and it felt like he was trying to strangle me.

'My friends say I was screaming desperately, but I don't remember much.'

Another schoolgirl said she had trouble breathing and was desperately holding her neck as if someone was strangling her. According to her friends, she kept screaming: 'Take it out.'

Shocking video shows pupils who are barely conscious, repeatedly screaming, and who appear to be delirious

One schoolgirl said she had trouble breathing and was desperately holding her neck as if someone was strangling her

Another anonymous girl, aged 13, told local media: 'Several children from different classrooms fainted at the same time. I got nauseous and started vomiting. I heard voices. A man in black chased me and wanted to touch me.'

Franklin Steiner, a parapsychologist who investigates paranormal and psychic phenomena - said: 'It is known that years ago there were many victims of terrorism here. When this school was built, some say bones and dead bodies were found.'

Locals believe this is a case of demonic interference, saying some children must have played games that invoke demons such as using a Ouija board.

A Ouija board is marked with letters and numbers and some use it in the belief that they will be abe to communicate with souls of the dead.