On June 8, 2024, the village of Kalempang, South Sulawesi, Indonesia was rocked by a tragic incident involving a reticulated python. 45-year-old Missing Indonesian Woman Farida had gone missing the previous night, causing deep concern among residents.
During search efforts, Farida’s husband discovered some of her belongings, raising suspicions. Upon further inspection, villagers spotted the giant snake with an unusually large belly. Weighing an estimated 5 meters, the python was cut open – revealing Farida’s head inside. She remained fully clothed, showing the snake had swallowed her whole.
While rare, such attacks have occurred in Indonesia before. Just last year, a farmer was killed by an 8-meter python in Southeast Sulawesi. In 2018, another victim in Muna town met the same fate after being swallowed by a 7-meter snake.
Pythons are known to constrict their prey before consumption. It seems this unfortunate Missing Indonesian Woman simply became a target while going about her daily activities. The incident has understandably shocked the tight-knit farming community of Kalempang village.
Our thoughts are with Farida’s family during this difficult time. May her soul find eternal rest. As for the python, it was likely acting on natural instinct rather than aggression. Still, such sizeable serpents so close to villages are unsettling. One can only hope further human-wildlife conflicts will be avoided.
