Bonai: A 76-year-old septuagenarian and his eight-year-old grandson died after being bitten by a suspected snake while they were sleeping at their home in Bhuyansahi of Tileimal village under Tikaetpali police limits in Sundargarh district.

The deceased have been identified as Rabi Bhuyan (76) and his grandson Sanjay Naik (8).

According to reports, the grandfather and grandson were sleeping at home at night when they were reportedly bitten by a snake. Family members rushed both of them to the Bonai hospital for treatment. However, doctors declared them dead upon arrival.

The incident has plunged the village into grief. The bodies are scheduled to undergo post-mortem examination today.

Four suspected snakebite deaths in 12 hours

The incident comes amid reports of four deaths due to suspected snakebites in Sundargarh district within the last 12 hours.

At Girijatoli village under Chandiposh police limits in Gurundia block, two siblings—a 10-year-old boy and his eight-year-old sister—also died following a suspected snakebite on Monday night.

The deceased siblings were identified as Sameer Haro (10) and Sairen Haro (8). They were initially taken to a local hospital and later shifted to the Government Hospital in Rourkela, where doctors declared them dead while undergoing treatment.

The deaths have triggered concern among local residents, particularly in rural areas where people remain vulnerable to snakebites while sleeping at night. Police have initiated necessary procedures, including post-mortem examinations, to ascertain the exact cause of death in the cases.