Watch: Over 900 snakes escape Chinese breeding farm during flood
Rescue teams in flood-hit southern China faced an extraordinary challenge after rising waters triggered an unexpected public safety scare, as hundreds of snakes, including venomous ones, waded through the flooded region.
Residents of a village in southern China found themselves battling an unexpected threat after floodwaters unleashed by Typhoon Maysak destroyed a snake breeding farm, releasing hundreds of reptiles into nearby homes and fields.
The incident occurred in Dengwei village, near Hengzhou city in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, where torrential rain caused reservoirs to overflow and embankments to give way.
Local authorities said around 800 to 900 snakes escaped from the flooded farm, prompting an emergency response and public safety warnings.
Videos circulating on Chinese state media showed snakes being swept through muddy floodwaters, with one clip capturing a cobra lifting its head above the fast-moving current.
HOW DID THE SNAKES ESCAPE?
Typhoon Maysak brought intense rainfall to southern China, triggering widespread flooding across Guangxi.
As floodwaters surged through Dengwei village, they destroyed a local snake breeding facility, allowing hundreds of snakes to escape into surrounding farmland, roads and residential areas.
Officials confirmed the incident earlier this week, on July 7, and immediately urged residents to remain indoors, avoid floodwaters and report any snake sightings.
Teams of local officials and villagers were deployed with fishing nets and capture tools to recover the escaped reptiles.
VENOMOUS SNAKES AMONG THE ESCAPEES
Authorities said most of the escaped reptiles were non-venomous species such as water snakes and king ratsnakes.
However, several venomous cobras were also reported to have escaped, leading local authorities to issue emergency guidelines on preventing snake bites.
According to local reports, at least one resident was bitten and taken to hospital for treatment.
Experts believe many of the snakes may have drowned or dispersed as floodwaters began receding, reducing the long-term risk to nearby communities.
FLOOD BRINGS DESTRUCTION
The snake escape unfolded against the backdrop of one of Guangxi's worst flood disasters in recent years.
Heavy rain from Typhoon Maysak triggered widespread flooding, landslides and infrastructure damage across the region.
Although water levels have started falling in some areas, forecasters have warned that more rain is expected, raising concerns about further flooding as recovery efforts continue.
Residents of a village in southern China found themselves battling an unexpected threat after floodwaters unleashed by Typhoon Maysak destroyed a snake breeding farm, releasing hundreds of reptiles into nearby homes and fields.
The incident occurred in Dengwei village, near Hengzhou city in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, where torrential rain caused reservoirs to overflow and embankments to give way.
Local authorities said around 800 to 900 snakes escaped from the flooded farm, prompting an emergency response and public safety warnings.
Videos circulating on Chinese state media showed snakes being swept through muddy floodwaters, with one clip capturing a cobra lifting its head above the fast-moving current.
HOW DID THE SNAKES ESCAPE?
Typhoon Maysak brought intense rainfall to southern China, triggering widespread flooding across Guangxi.
As floodwaters surged through Dengwei village, they destroyed a local snake breeding facility, allowing hundreds of snakes to escape into surrounding farmland, roads and residential areas.
Officials confirmed the incident earlier this week, on July 7, and immediately urged residents to remain indoors, avoid floodwaters and report any snake sightings.
Teams of local officials and villagers were deployed with fishing nets and capture tools to recover the escaped reptiles.
VENOMOUS SNAKES AMONG THE ESCAPEES
Authorities said most of the escaped reptiles were non-venomous species such as water snakes and king ratsnakes.
However, several venomous cobras were also reported to have escaped, leading local authorities to issue emergency guidelines on preventing snake bites.
According to local reports, at least one resident was bitten and taken to hospital for treatment.
Experts believe many of the snakes may have drowned or dispersed as floodwaters began receding, reducing the long-term risk to nearby communities.
FLOOD BRINGS DESTRUCTION
The snake escape unfolded against the backdrop of one of Guangxi's worst flood disasters in recent years.
Heavy rain from Typhoon Maysak triggered widespread flooding, landslides and infrastructure damage across the region.
Although water levels have started falling in some areas, forecasters have warned that more rain is expected, raising concerns about further flooding as recovery efforts continue.
