MAKASSAR (Indonesia) • An Indonesian woman has been found in the belly of a giant python after the swollen snake was captured near where she vanished while tending her vegetable garden, police said yesterday.

The body of 54-year-old Wa Tiba was found on Friday when villagers cut open the seven-metre python, which was found bloated, in the village of Persiapan Lawela on the island of Muna, off Sulawesi.

"The residents suspected the snake had swallowed the victim, so they killed it, then carried it out of the garden," said local police chief Hamka, who like many Indonesians has only one name.

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

Some 100 residents, including worried relatives, launched a search for the woman after she failed to return from her garden on Thursday night.

Police chief Hamka said that the villagers found the giant python lying about 30 metres from Ms Tiba's sandals and machete, adding that she was swallowed head first and her body was found intact.

The garden in which she disappeared was at the base of a rocky cliff, pockmarked by caves, and known to be home to snakes.

Giant pythons, which regularly exceed six metres, are commonly found in Indonesia and the Philippines.

While they 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.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE