Hundreds of poisonous snakes escape into Chinese city following floods VIDEO

Severe flooding in southern China has triggered an unusual public safety emergency after nearly 900 snakes escaped from a breeding farm in Hengzhou, prompting authorities to launch a large-scale search operation and warn residents to remain vigilant.

The snakes were swept away when floodwaters damaged the facility during Typhoon Maysak, which has brought torrential rain and widespread flooding to several parts of the country. Officials said the escaped reptiles include venomous species, raising concerns for communities affected by the disaster, as reported by local media outlets.

Authorities have deployed specialist teams equipped with nets and other capture equipment to recover the snakes, while increasing stocks of anti-venom and issuing public safety warnings. Hospitals have also established fast-track treatment procedures for snakebite victims as the search continues.

Snakes have escaped into floodwaters after Typhoon Maysak destroyed a breeding farm in Hengzhou, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

In response to the snake escape, local authorities urgently increased snake antivenom supplies. Current supplies are sufficient to… pic.twitter.com/0TrEP3RUuH

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State media and local officials say a large number of snakes have already been recovered, although many remain unaccounted for. Reports indicate that most of the escaped animals were non-venomous, but venomous species, including cobras, were also among those released into the floodwaters.

The flooding has already been linked to multiple snakebite incidents. Several local media outlets reported that a woman died after being bitten by a snake believed to have escaped from the farm, although details surrounding the incident have varied across reports.

The snake escape comes as southern China grapples with widespread flooding caused by Typhoon Maysak. Torrential rainfall has inundated communities across Guangxi and neighbouring provinces, forcing evacuations, damaging infrastructure and leaving dozens of people dead or injured.

Authorities say recovery efforts remain focused on both flood response and locating the remaining escaped snakes to reduce the risk to residents as floodwaters gradually recede.

By Nazrin Sadigova