Gadchiroli schoolgirls die in suspected snakebite incident

Three schoolgirls died following a suspected snakebite incident at a residential Ashram school in Japtalai village, located in the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra. The incident occurred around 2 am on Monday when a snake entered a hostel room where approximately 79 female students were sleeping on the floor.

The deceased students have been identified as Deepika Lakda (Class 6), Sushmita Mandal (Class 8), and Anu Koreti (Class 2). One student, Deepika Bitkusai Madavi, remains in critical condition, while two others are reported to be in serious condition. Additionally, 14 other girls are being kept under medical observation at the district hospital as a precaution.

The school is an aided primary and secondary institution run by the Kuparlingo Educational and Cultural Development Research Institute. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has requested a detailed report on the incident. Health and police departments have initiated investigations to determine how the snake entered the hostel and the sequence of events that led to the bites.