Elderly Man Fatally Stung by Bees in Madhya Pradesh's Shahdol

Synopsis
In a heartbreaking incident, a 75-year-old man died due to a bee swarm attack in Gura village, Madhya Pradesh. The attack occurred during a religious ceremony, resulting in injuries to several others as well. Investigations are underway to determine the causes of the bees' aggression.
Key Takeaways
- Incident Location: Gura village, Shahdol
- Victim: 75-year-old Premlal Kol
- Event: Bee attack during a 'havan'
- Injuries: 10 other villagers hospitalized
- Investigation: Ongoing to determine bee behavior
Bhopal, Feb 27 (NationPress) In a tragic and rare incident, an elderly man lost his life while several others sustained injuries when a swarm of bees aggressively attacked them in Gura village, situated in Madhya Pradesh's Shahdol district, as per reports from officials.
Gura village falls under the jurisdiction of the Vyohari police station, located about 75 km from the main district headquarters of Shahdol.
The unfortunate event transpired on Wednesday evening when a villager was conducting a 'havan' ceremony after returning from the Kumbh Mela held in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj.
The smoke emitted during the havan seemingly provoked the bees, inciting them into a frenzy. The victim, identified as 75-year-old Premlal Kol, was unable to escape and succumbed to the lethal stings before receiving any medical assistance.
While investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the bees' behavior, the investigating officer at the Vyohari police station mentioned that Premlal, due to his advanced age, was unable to escape in time.
The officer further added that Premlal's body has been sent for a post-mortem examination, with a report pending.
"A post-mortem report will clarify the circumstances," the officer informed IANS via phone.
In the meantime, several other villagers were also stung but are reported to be safe.
Sources revealed that the havan was in progress when the smoke disturbed a beehive located in a nearby peepal tree, triggering the bees to attack the villagers present. The ensuing chaos resulted in a stampede, with individuals desperately seeking shelter by jumping into water bodies or hiding inside their homes.
In the commotion, Premlal Kol attempted to flee towards a field but tragically fell and was overwhelmed by the bees' stings, leading to his immediate death. Ten additional individuals suffered injuries and have been hospitalized.
Once the bees dispersed, the injured were transported to the hospital, sources indicated. However, Premlal was initially unaccounted for. His body was found four hours later, lying in a field approximately 200 meters away from the site of the havan.