The girls, ages 10 to 12 years old, were taking part in an after-school training program that was meant to provide them with a “boot camp” to help team-building. As part of the camp, the girls were expected to run through a muddy pit and climb up the slick side at the other end. Initially, the girls appeared to be enjoying the challenge. But when they realized that there was a python in the water alongside them, the laughter swiftly turned into panic and blood-curdling screams.

The 10 men supposed to be ‘training’ the girls had thrown the blood python, a nonvenomous but gigantic snake, into the pit. When a few girls managed to climb out of the pit, the men forced them back in. When the snake itself appeared to have gotten out of the pit, the men threw it back so that it was within inches of the terrified girls scrambling desperately to escape.

“I condemn their action. It definitely would have traumatized the children who will probably be experiencing nightmares,” said Chiam Heng Keng, a child psychologist and former human rights commissioner of Malaysia “The parents should also confront the principals for endangering the children’s lives. How can they throw the snakes into the pond? This is a primary school, not a National Service stint.” Keng added that the incident was “child abuse” and that those involved must be “psychologically off their mind.”

Four trainers and six assistants involved in the incident have been suspended by the program. Police are also reportedly investigating who leaked the video.

Watch the video below.

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