A major scare gripped the Maharani Laxmibai Medical College in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, after a snake was discovered inside its operation theatre (OT), officials said on Thursday.

According to reports, OT in-charge Kanak Srivastava spotted the reptile on Wednesday and immediately alerted the forest department. A rescue team quickly arrived, captured the snake, and released it safely back into the wild.

The incident prompted the hospital administration to tighten security measures in and around the operation theatres. Chief Medical Superintendent Dr Sachin Mahour said that the risk of reptiles and other creatures entering hospital premises rises during the monsoon season.

“After the snake was found in the OT, precautionary measures have been taken and the staff have been instructed to remain extra vigilant to prevent such incidents,” he added.

This is not the first time the hospital’s OT has made headlines. On November 15 last year, a major fire at the facility claimed the lives of 18 children.

More recently, on August 29 this year, another fire in the OT’s electrical panel caused panic, reviving memories of last year’s tragedy.