Thrissur (Kerala) | An eight-year-old boy died of a suspected snakebite at his house near Kodaly in this district on Sunday, police said.

The deceased was identified as Aljo, son of Siljo.

His elder brother, Anjo (10), who was found with similar symptoms, is in critical condition and undergoing treatment at a private hospital, police added.

The children were sleeping beside their mother when the incident occurred.

According to family sources, the elder boy woke up at around 5.30 am and alerted his mother to uneasiness and stomach pain, after which both children were found unconscious.

They were rushed to a hospital, but Aljo was declared dead by doctors. However, hospital authorities raised doubts about a possible snakebite, prompting the family to inspect the house.

A snake, suspected of biting the children, was later spotted emerging from one of the rooms and was subsequently caught.

"It was initially suspected to be a case of food poisoning. However, hospital authorities raised doubts, and the snake suspected to have bitten the boys was later found in the house," a police officer said.

The condition of the elder boy remains critical, he added.

Residents who gathered at the house said the snake was a venomous species locally known as 'sankuvarayan', identified as the common krait