Rourkela: Six people, including four minors, died in separate suspected snakebite incidents reported from Sundargarh, Balasore and Bhadrak districts on Tuesday, plunging villages into grief.In Sundargarh’s Bonai subdivision, two tragic cases unfolded within hours. In Girijatoli village under Chandiposh police limits, siblings Sameer Haro (10) and his sister Sairen (8) died after complaining of severe stomach pain early on Tuesday. Family members rushed them first to a local hospital and later to Rourkela Govt Hospital, where doctors declared them dead around 9 am. “Both children were brought in critical condition but had no signs of life. Snakebite was suspected,” a paediatrician said. Police registered an unnatural death case and sent the bodies for post‑mortem.Inspector S Khamari of Chandiposh police station said: “Our officials have reached Rourkela. After post‑mortem, the bodies will be handed over to the family. Investigation is underway.”In another incident in Kateisahi of Tileimal village under Tikayatpalli police limits, septuagenarian Rabi Bhuyan (76) and his grandson Sanjay Naik (8) were found dead at home on Tuesday morning. Doctors at Bonai sub‑divisional hospital confirmed snakebite marks. Police seized the bodies and ordered post‑mortem.Inspector Pradeep Kumar Naik said: “We have registered an unnatural death case. With no surviving family member, the final rites will be performed by the sarpanch and villagers.” The deaths have cast a pall of gloom over the hamlet.Elsewhere, a woman in her 30s died after a snakebite in Baliapal block of Balasore district, while a minor girl succumbed in Chandbali block of Bhadrak district. Their identities were being ascertained.Odisha has seen multiple snakebite tragedies in recent weeks. On Aug 21, two members of the same family — an uncle and his nephew — succumbed after being bitten by snakes in Chacharabhatta village under Sinapali block of Nuapada district.Former Rajnagar MLA Anshuman Mohanty was injured after being reportedly bitten by a snake on Aug 20 while inspecting flood‑hit areas in Kendrapara district.On Aug 8, a Class VI student died in Bhadrak district after being bitten by a snake.