[bbfan1991]

A post office in South Africa was cleared out after one of four snakes broke loose from a parcel.

A one-metre white python emerged from a mail bag at the Sabie Post Office, according to Reuters.

The reptile, though non-venomous, caused panic as sorting room employees were quick to rush out of the door.

Sabie branch manager Mthobisi Duba recalled: "This was the most traumatic experience ever in the post room."

A total of four snakes were packaged in an express parcel. Unlike the metre-long python, the other three did not escape from the parcel and remained inside.

Afterwards, the postal service stated that the intended receiver of the reptiles was charged for illegally transporting animals.