Twelve-year-old Sadiqul Islam was sitting at a grocery shop near his home, scrolling through his phone, when a venomous snake suddenly slithered out from the shop’s awning and bit him. He was rushed to the local hospital, but with no antivenom available, doctors referred him to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital.
Tragically, he died on the way. The incident occurred around 10:30pm on Friday (8 August) near Dasmail in Dinajpur district. Sadiqul, also known as Sakibul Islam, was the son of Israil Uddin from Badambari Kadamtala village in Boro Palashbari union of Baliyadangi upazila, Thakurgaon.
Before the shock could subside, another tragedy struck. On Saturday (9 August) afternoon, Tariq Rahman, a school student from Uttar Bhamda village in Pirganj upazila, was bitten by a snake while sleeping. He too died in hospital due to the unavailability of antivenom.
Baliyadangi police officer-in-charge (OC) Shawkat Ali Sarkar and Pirganj OC Tajul Islam confirmed the deaths.
According to district police data, five people — three students and two young men — have died from snakebites in Thakurgaon over the past two weeks. The fatalities have plunged families and communities into mourning.
“My world has collapsed,” said Israil Uddin, father of Sakibul. “What is the point of having a hospital if there is no treatment? My son died due to the lack of medicine. If antivenom had been given, he would have survived.”
School teacher Gias Uddin Ahmed said he could not accept the deaths of young students in such circumstances. “How many more children must die before the government provides antivenom? How many mothers must lose their sons before the authorities take it seriously? Urgent action is needed to end this deadly crisis,” he told Times of Bangladesh.
Thakurgaon Civil Surgeon said the matter had been raised with higher authorities and expressed hope for a solution soon.
Thakurgaon Deputy Commissioner Ishrat Farzana described the situation as alarming, saying urgent steps would be taken after discussions with the relevant authorities.