This is the moment spooked tenants flee an apartment block after terrifying ghostly screams were heard echoing around the building.

The eerie cries, apparently of a woman’s blood-curdling shrieks coming from the block in Taouziant, Khenchela state, Algeria, were too much to bear for most of the residents.

Many fled out onto the street as the spine-chilling banshee-like noises emerged from the building, reportedly from a locked and empty apartment in the block.

Video footage shows anxious locals in the street outside wincing as they hear the other-worldly groans.

One boy clutches his dad’s hand and steps behind him as the yells ring out into the street.

Some brave neighbours called the apartment’s owner, who arrived with keys and let themselves in, according to local media.

Mysteriously the screams reportedly stopped the instant the door was opened, but nothing – alive or dead – was found inside.

But some locals with children reportedly went to stay with relatives.

Local media said that the apartment owner – who has not been named – called in an exorcist in a bid to expel the spooky sounds.

It is unclear if they were successful. It is also unclear if the authorities are investigating the incident.