Floodwaters Release Venomous Snakes in Southern China, Killing 1 Woman

A woman in southern China died after being bitten by a venomous snake that escaped from a flooded breeding farm during Typhoon Maysak, which unleashed record rainfall and caused severe flooding across Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, The Beijing Times reported today.

The victim, in her 40s or 50s, was bitten on the evening of July 6 in Yunbiao Township, Hengzhou city, according to a fellow villager who spoke to The Beijing News. Rescuers said the woman was transferred multiple times before reaching a hospital due to blocked roads, and was already unconscious when they found her. The hospital confirmed her death.

The floodwaters overwhelmed a snake farm in Dengwei Village on July 6, releasing an estimated 800 to 900 snakes, including venomous cobras, as well as non-venomous king snakes and water snakes, said Wu Zhi, a village official. Another villager was bitten while clearing debris after floodwaters receded; he was hospitalized and received antivenom, according to Jimu News.

Authorities said antivenom supplies are sufficient and have advised residents not to attempt capturing snakes themselves. More than a dozen villagers have formed a volunteer snake-catching team to patrol flooded areas.