VIGILANTE snake hunters have rounded up three thousand fugitive reptiles after a terrifying mass escape from a flooded breeding farm in just two days.
Locals raced to catch the slithering creatures after floodwaters smashed through the facility during a devastating storm.
Snake hunters have rounded up 3000 reptiles after a terrifying mass escape Credit: Jam Press
Snakes swimming in the floodwaters after a storm Credit: Jam Press
The escaped reptiles, including venomous cobras, slithered into and through filthy floodwater after a nearby reservoir collapsed.
Shocking footage showed the snakes lurking in muddy water as terrified villagers watched the unfolding nightmare.
The chilling escape happened in Dengwei village, Hengzhou, in southern , after extreme linked to Typhoon Maysak triggered chaos.
According to local officials, the snakes got loose on July 6 after the Liulan Reservoir collapsed.
By July 9, Mr. Zhu, a member of a civilian snake-catching team, confirmed that between two and three thousand snakes had been captured.
A team of eight hunters spent two frantic days tracking down the runaway reptiles.
While the breeding farm housed venomous cobras, king rat snakes and non-venomous water snakes, the majority of those caught were Chinese rat snakes.
The slithering escapees were discovered hiding in the corners of homes as alarmed villagers raised the alarm.
Shocking footage showed the snakes lurking in muddy water Credit: Jam Press
The escaped reptiles, including venomous cobras, slithered into homes Credit: Jam Press
Several people have reportedly been treated for snakebites at Hengzhou People’s Hospital following the floods.
Officials have opened a fast-track emergency treatment channel for snakebite victims and boosted anti-venom supplies at the hospital.
Medical specialists have also been drafted in to provide on-the-ground support and guidance for snakebite patients.
The terrifying incident comes after the breeding farm.
The chilling escape happened in Dengwei village, Hengzhou, in southern China Credit: Reuters
Officials have opened a fast-track emergency treatment channel for snakebite victims Credit: Jam Press
Emergency crews were sent to hunt for the reptiles and help residents caught up in the flooding.
Cars were left overturned and stranded as emergency crews waded through flooded streets to rescue residents and deliver vital supplies.
Wu Zhi, the head of a local village committee, told state-owned media Red Star that most of the escaped snakes were not venomous.
Mr Liang, a local resident said: “I was working here when the flood came very quickly,” local resident Mr Liang said.
“I didn’t have time to evacuate. The water rose suddenly. I climbed a tree and could only call for help.”
Around 130,000 people have been evacuated, while an estimated 375,000 have been affected by the disaster.
More than 8,000 rescue workers, backed by 5,700 boats and drones, have been deployed as crews race to reach isolated communities and restore essential services.
Typhoon Maysak is understood to have killed at least 39 people in southern China.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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