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Three people stung to death as storms in Egypt wash scorpions and snakes into the streets

Three people have been stung to death and more than 450 injured after heavy rains washed scorpions into the streets in the Egyptian city of Aswan over the weekend.

Thunderstorms and hail swept scorpions and snakes away from their natural habitats and into people's homes. The extreme weather also caused power cuts, and brought down street lamps and trees.

Doctors have been pulled away from administering vaccinations and recalled from holidays to deal with the number of scorpion sting admissions, local media reported.

Schools have been ordered to close to protect children and residents have been urged to stay at home and away from trees that could continue to fall.

A health official told Al Ahram news agency that extra anti-venom doses were being distributed to medical centres in villages near mountains and deserts.

Egypt’s Meteorological Authority has said it expects rainfall to continue for the coming days over parts of South Sinai and southern Egypt.

© Hamza Ashraf / EyeEm Thunderstorms and hail swept scorpions and snakes away from their natural habitats and into people's homes in Aswan - Hamza Ashraf / EyeEm

Ahmed Rizk, from the Agricultural Research Centre in Giza, told Al Watan newspaper that it is normal for heavy rains to wash scorpions and snakes away from their nests, forcing them to find new places to hide.

The professor urged residents who live in mountainous areas to seek shelter elsewhere when the downpours start.

He also advised people that if stung, they should “tie a piece of cloth firmly near the bite to inhibit the venom from reaching the heart”.

While many scorpion stings will not be fatal, Egypt is home to some of the most deadly fat-tailed scorpions in the world, the venom of which can kill a person in less than an hour.

Heavy storms in #Egypt brought scorpions into the streets & people’s homes —

stinging 400 people in #Aswan #أسوان #مِصر pic.twitter.com/BFmEGZ9iFd

— Yahia Lababidi (@YahiaLababidi) November 14, 2021

Videos on social media show heavy hailstones beating down as the arachnids battle against them trying to cross the threshold of a front door.

All of those injured by the scorpion stings have been hospitalised and are receiving treatment, Ehab Hanafy, the undersecretary for Aswan’s health ministry told Al Ahram.