Daijiworld Media Network - Gadchiroli

Gadchiroli, Aug 10: Three tribal girl students died and three others were hospitalised after a venomous snake allegedly bit them while they were sleeping at the hostel of an aided tribal residential school in Japtalai village of Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district, officials said on Monday.

The incident occurred around midnight on Sunday at the hostel, located about 10 km from Dhanora taluka headquarters. The students were reportedly sleeping on the floor when the snake bit them.

The deceased were identified as Deepika Lakda, a Class VI student, Sushmita Mandal, a Class VIII student, and Anu Koreti, a Class II student. Deepika and Sushmita died while undergoing treatment at Dhanora Hospital, while Anu succumbed at the District Hospital in Gadchiroli.

The three other students — Deepika Madavi (Class V), Kavita Kiranga (Class VI) and Samruddhi Suresh Naitam (Class VIII) — are undergoing treatment at the Gadchiroli District Hospital. Samruddhi's condition was reported to be critical. The students were administered anti-venom and are being monitored by doctors.

The deaths have raised concerns over safety arrangements at the residential school. District Collector Avishyant Panda ordered a detailed inquiry to determine how the incident occurred and whether adequate protective measures and safety protocols were in place at the hostel. Teams from the Tribal Development Department have also been directed to inspect the premises.

Officials said responsibility would be fixed and action taken if negligence or safety lapses are established. The district administration has also directed health authorities to ensure that the surviving students receive proper and specialised medical care.

The incident has cast a pall of gloom over the students' families and the local community, while the inquiry is expected to examine the hostel's safety arrangements and circumstances surrounding the snakebite.