Teenager dragged away by python

Village officials in northern India are searching for a teenage girl who was dragged away by a python.

The giant snake pulled the 17-year-old into a pit at Unnao near Kanpur, says Asian News International.

Residents, police and forest authorities have so far been unable to find the reptile or the teenager.

The younger brother of the victim says he was collecting firewood when he heard his sister screaming for help.

He said: "I heard my sister shouting 'snake, snake'. I saw the snake drag her away into a hole. Her scarf was left behind."

Police spokesman Rajesh Pandey said: "We have started the digging process where the children spotted the snake. We are carrying out a search operation."

Residents say the python has been in the village for years but has never attacked humans.