Three girls died and another remained in critical condition after six students were bitten by a snake at a government-aided ashram school hostel in Gadchiroli district in the early hours of Monday. The incident occurred at a primary-secondary residential school in Japtalai village, prompting an emergency medical response and administrative intervention.

The affected students were sleeping in the hostel when the snake bites occurred. After they began showing symptoms, all six students were taken to a rural hospital for initial treatment. They were subsequently shifted to the District General Hospital in Gadchiroli as their condition required further medical care.

Three girls died while undergoing treatment, while the remaining students continued to receive medical attention. The deceased students were aged eight, 12 and 14. The condition of another girl later became critical, prompting authorities to arrange an airlift to the Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital in Nagpur for advanced treatment.

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The critically ill student was airlifted with assistance from the district administration and Gadchiroli police. Authorities moved her to Nagpur to ensure access to specialised medical facilities as doctors continued efforts to stabilise her condition. The health department and local administration are monitoring the treatment of the remaining affected students.

The deaths have triggered concern among families and villagers, who have raised allegations of negligence against the school management and questioned the safety arrangements at the residential institution. They have also expressed dissatisfaction with the response and arrangements made following the incident. The allegations are expected to be examined by the authorities as they assess the circumstances surrounding the snake bites.

Gadchiroli district Guardian Minister Ashish Jaiswal has headed to the school to take stock of the situation and review the response. Meanwhile, district officials and health authorities are coordinating medical care for the surviving students and assessing the circumstances at the hostel. Further details are expected as the administration conducts its assessment of the incident.

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