Snake Bites 6 Girls at Gadchiroli Tribal School Hostel, 3 Dead, Probe Ordered

Three tribal girls died and three others were hospitalised after a venomous snake bit six students at a residential school hostel in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district, prompting the administration to order a detailed inquiry into the incident.

The incident took place around midnight on Sunday at an aided tribal residential school in Japtalai village, around 10 km from the Dhanora taluka headquarters, officials said.

The girls were sleeping on the floor inside the hostel when the snake attacked them. The victims who died were aged 8, 12 and 14, while the three other girls undergoing treatment are between 11 and 14 years old.

District Collector Avishyant Panda said the administration would conduct a thorough investigation to establish how the incident occurred and whether adequate safety measures were in place at the students' accommodation.

The inquiry will also examine whether the school management had followed the prescribed safety rules and precautions, he said.

Panda said the three surviving students were promptly administered anti-venom medication and were being closely monitored by medical teams. He also directed the district surgeon to ensure that there were no deficiencies in their treatment and that the girls received special medical care.

Teams from the Tribal Development Department will inspect the school premises and collect information as part of the investigation.

The Collector said responsibility would be fixed if the probe found any negligence or safety lapses, with action to be taken against those found guilty according to the rules.

Gadchiroli's co-guardian minister Ashish Jaiswal expressed grief over the deaths and conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims. He said he had directed the administration to ensure all necessary medical facilities and support for the three girls receiving treatment.

Jaiswal said further action would be taken after the Tribal Development Department submits its inquiry report.

The incident has raised questions over hostel safety arrangements at residential schools, particularly measures to protect children from snakes and other hazards while they sleep.