SYDNEY: An Australian teenager was critically ill in hospital on Thursday after being bitten by the world’s most venomous snake, with detectives probing how he came into contact with the desert reptile.
The 17-year-old walked into a hospital in the small town of Kurri Kurri, north of Sydney, on Wednesday afternoon with a bite to his left hand.
According to local reports, his friend was carrying a plastic tub containing the snake responsible, which was later identified as the toxic inland taipan.
Also known as the fierce snake due to the strength of its venom — one drop of which is enough to kill 100 adult men — the inland taipan typically lives in central Australia’s arid deserts and is not normally seen on the coast.
Detectives had been called in to investigate where the snake had come from, with speculation it could have been an illegal pet.
“The youth... is reported to be in a stable condition,” police said in a statement.
“Police are now attempting to establish how the youth came to be bitten, and hope to speak to the young man once he is considered well enough.”
Police said the incident was not believed to be linked to a nearby zoo break-in at the weekend, when thieves made off with four pythons and two alligators.
“No taipans were reported stolen from the zoo,” police said.
According to doctors, the teen’s rapid treatment with anti-venom had been crucial to his survival, as inland taipan venom can kill someone in as little as 45 minutes.
“We had anti-venom in stock, we keep what’s called polyvalent anti-venom and that covers all of our snakes,” said toxicologist Geoff Isbister, who is treating the teen at the Mater hospital in the city of Newcastle.
“We had access to it immediately, and he was treated very early,” Isbister told ABC radio.
The snake’s poison is neurotoxic and can cause gradual paralysis and compromise breathing if not treated, with an anticoagulant element meaning victims can also internally haemorrhage to death.
Myotoxins in the bite also dissolve muscle and other tissues, meaning the wound site can cause significant kidney damage.
Isbister said it could take weeks to recover from such a severe bite.
Inland taipans can grow up to 2.5 meters (8 feet) in length and have 12-millimeter fangs.
Because it typically lives in sparsely populated areas and is shy by nature few humans have ever been bitten by an inland taipan, and there have been no recorded deaths.
Aussie teen bitten by world’s most venomous snake
Aussie teen bitten by world’s most venomous snake
Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad show new couture collections in Paris
- Saab’s collection uses light as central theme
- Exploration of structure, movement by Murad
DUBAI: Lebanese designers Elie Saab and Zuhair Murad presented their Spring/Summer 2026 haute couture collections in Paris earlier this week.
Saab’s collection referenced light as a central theme, expressed through elongated silhouettes and layered embellishment, according to a statement from the brand.
The runway featured gowns built on sheer bases, with metallic embroidery, sequins and crystal beadwork creating layered textures across champagne, gold, bronze and soft ivory tones.
Column dresses, deep necklines and floor-length gowns dominated the collection, while draped panels, embroidered capes and sheer overlays added movement.
Several looks incorporated fringed detailing and geometric patterns, with crystal embellishments catching the light as models walked.
Accessories were kept minimal, allowing the focus to remain on craftsmanship and surface technique.
Meanwhile, Murad’s collection also placed craftsmanship at the center of the show.
According to the house, the collection explored structure and movement, using corsetry to define the body and draping to create fluidity.
The runway featured fitted gowns and sculpted eveningwear built around structured bodices, many finished with dense embroidery, crystals and metallic thread.
A palette of champagne, pale blue, sage green, ivory and gold ran throughout the show, with strapless silhouettes, off-the-shoulder gowns and column dresses appearing alongside sheer panels, thigh-high slits and flowing trains.
Shorter dresses with crystal-encrusted bodices were shown alongside floor-length gowns, with sheer layers and extended trains.
