Two minor siblings died from a snakebite while sleeping at their home late Monday night in the Malgodam Pada area of Bolangir district.
The victims, identified as Mehek (3) and her elder brother Dhuke Shyam (7), were the children of Abdul Rehman, a resident of Malgodam Pada under Balangir Town police limits. According to family members, a snake was spotted inside the house earlier in the night, but the children denied any bite.
The parents grew concerned after both children began vomiting. Suspecting envenomation, they rushed the siblings to Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospital. Tragically, doctors declared them “brought dead.”
Postmortem procedures are underway to confirm the cause of death, but preliminary observations point to venomous snakebite. The incident has cast a pall of gloom over the locality, prompting renewed concerns about child safety and pest control in semi-urban households.
Authorities have not released further details regarding the species of snake or how it entered the residence.
As the community reels from the loss, this case underscores the urgent need for awareness about snakebite prevention and the importance of immediate medical attention in rural and semi-urban settings.
