Police in Southwest China's Sichuan Province arrested two Chinese shamans accused of steaming a woman to death in an exorcism ritual gone tragically wrong.

The victim, surnamed Li, died on Saturday evening at her family's home in Yulong village, media reported.

Witnesses said the shamans, surnamed Fan and Hu, had closed Li in a wooden bucket that was then placed in a cauldron over an open fire.

"We rushed over after hearing her cry out in pain," said neighbor Liu Jun.

Neighbors explained that Li's family had originally hired the shamans to help her treat a chronic illness.

The pair insisted that her agonizing cries were from a "demon" that needed to be driven from her body, said Liu.

When neighbors finally managed to free Li, her face had "changed color" and she was unable to stand.

They immediately called police and doctors, who later pronounced her dead.

Fan and Hu are currently in police custody. It is unclear from reports if they have been charged.

chinanews.com