Tourist Dies from Suspected Snake Bite in Sanya, Investigation Underway
A 27-year-old female tourist, Li Li, and her boyfriend, Zhang Peng, arrived in Sanya for a vacation on June 1. That evening, they took a walk near their hotel, approximately 300 meters away, when Li Li was bitten by an unknown object, later suspected to be a venomous snake, on her second toe. The couple did not see the snake but observed two small puncture wounds on Li Li's toe. Zhang Peng immediately carried Li Li back to the hotel, where they attempted to rinse the wound with water and applied pressure to try to extract venom, but due to the small amount of muscle tissue in the toe, they were unable to extract any blood.

4 June 2025
Li Li and Zhang Peng then went to the Sanya Central Hospital, where they arrived at around 1:05 AM on June 2. The hospital conducted two blood tests, which took about three hours, and only after the second test did the doctor suggest that Li Li might have been bitten by a venomous snake, stating that the hospital lacked experience in treating such cases and recommending a transfer to the 425 Hospital. By the time Li Li was transferred, she had already been unconscious for some time and was experiencing severe vomiting and convulsions. Despite efforts at the 425 Hospital, Li Li's condition continued to deteriorate, and she was pronounced dead at around 7:20 AM on June 2.
The family of the deceased has expressed deep grief and frustration over the circumstances surrounding her death, questioning the hospital's handling of the situation and alleging that the delay in recognizing the severity of the snake bite and the lack of appropriate treatment led to Li Li's death. The family described Li Li as a diligent and ambitious individual who was preparing to take the graduate school entrance exam, and her death has sent shockwaves through her community. They emphasized that Li Li was their only child, adding to the devastation of their loss.
The Sanya Municipal Health Commission has launched an investigation into the matter and has set up an expert panel to look into the incident. The commission expressed deep condolences to the family of the deceased and assured the public that all necessary steps are being taken to address the situation. The investigation will examine the hospital's handling of the case, including the delay in treatment and the lack of anti-venom serum. The commission has also stated that it will take measures to improve the emergency response system and prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
The incident has raised concerns about the readiness of local medical facilities to handle snakebite cases effectively, especially in areas popular with tourists. Many have called for improvements to the emergency response system and an increase in the stockpile of anti-venom serum to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. Experts have reminded the public to be vigilant when outdoors, especially during the summer season when snakes are more active, and to seek medical attention immediately if they are bitten by a snake.
Some experts have suggested that taking a photo of the snake or remembering its appearance can help with diagnosis and treatment, and that applying pressure to the wound and seeking medical attention as soon as possible can prevent delays in treatment. The incident has sparked a heated discussion on social media, with many people expressing their condolences and regret over the tragic event. Netizens have shared their thoughts on the incident, with some calling for improved emergency response systems and increased awareness about snakebites.
The Sanya Municipal Health Commission has promised to release the results of the investigation as soon as possible and to take measures to improve the emergency response system. The commission has also stated that it will work to enhance the preparedness of local hospitals in dealing with snakebite emergencies and to establish a unified protocol for treating snakebite victims. As the investigation continues, the community remains in mourning for the young woman whose life was cut short in such a sudden and tragic manner, and the hope is that from this incident, lessons can be learned to prevent future tragedies and to ensure that tourists and locals alike can feel safer in areas where snakes might be present.
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