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Snake charmer dies after being bitten by king cobra
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An Bekasi Fire and Rescue Agency official removes a king cobra that was found in a residential area in Jakasampurna in Bekasi, West Java on Dec. 12, 2019. In West Kalimantan, a snake charmer died after been bitten by a king cobra on Saturday. (Antara/Risky Andrianto)
N
orjani, a snake charmer from Toho district, Mempawah regency, in West Kalimantan, reportedly died on Saturday shortly after performing with his king cobra.
A short video posted by Instagram user @ndorobeii showed how the venomous snake bit its owner several times on his hand and forehead.
The man, however, looked “amused” at the biting and laughed continuously. He even purportedly rejected the first aid offered during the show, which took place at around 4 p.m.
Only two and a half hours later, Norjani felt pain all over his body. He was then admitted to a nearby clinic for proper treatment but it appears to have been too late.
"He died [in the clinic]," said Toho Police chief First Insp. Dede Hasanuddin on Monday.
He added that Norjani had been buried by his family, while the 5-meter-snake was killed, kompas.com reported.
The king cobra, a species native to India and Southeast Asia, is the world's longest venomous snake but will usually avoid confrontation with humans. The snake, whose venom is powerful enough to kill 20 people, will, however, become aggressive and attack humans when agitated or cornered. (vny)
