Elderly Man Loses Life in Bee Attack in Shahdol, MP

Synopsis
In a tragic incident in Gura village, Madhya Pradesh's Shahdol district, a 75-year-old man lost his life due to a bee attack while performing a Hindu ritual. Several others were injured as the bees responded violently to smoke from the ritual.
Key Takeaways
- Incident Location: Gura village, Shahdol district, MP.
- Victim: 75-year-old Premlal Kol.
- Circumstance: Attack occurred during a 'havan' ritual.
- Injuries: Several villagers stung, but most are safe.
- Investigation: Ongoing into the cause of the attack.
Bhopal Feb 27 (NationPress) In a shocking and unfortunate incident, an elderly man lost his life and multiple others sustained injuries when a swarm of bees aggressively attacked them in Gura village, located in Madhya Pradesh's Shahdol district, on Wednesday evening.
Gura village falls under the jurisdiction of the Vyohari police station, approximately 75 km north of the Shahdol district headquarters.
Sources indicate that the tragic event unfolded while a villager was engaged in a 'havan' (a sacred fire ritual in Hinduism involving offerings such as grains, ghee, milk, incense, and seeds) after returning from the recently held Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
The smoke emanating from the havan seemingly irritated the bees, triggering a chaotic response. The victim, identified as 75-year-old Premlal Kol, was unable to escape the onslaught and succumbed to the lethal stings before any medical help could arrive.
While the reason for the bees' aggressive behavior remains a mystery, the officer in charge at Vyohari police station mentioned that due to his age, Premlal was unable to flee swiftly.
The officer added that Premlal's body has been sent for a post-mortem examination, and they are currently awaiting the report.
“A post-mortem report will provide clarity,” the officer conveyed to IANS via telephone.
In addition, several other villagers were also stung but are reportedly in stable condition.
According to reports, the ongoing havan and the resulting smoke disturbed a beehive situated in a nearby peepal tree, prompting the bees to launch an assault on the villagers. The commotion led to a stampede, with individuals desperately seeking safety by jumping into water bodies or hiding in their homes.
In the chaos, Premlal Kol attempted to flee towards a field but unfortunately fell victim to the bees, resulting in his immediate death. Ten other individuals were injured and have since been hospitalized.
After the swarm dispersed, the injured were transported to the hospital; however, Premlal was missing. His body was discovered four hours later, lying in a field approximately 200 meters from where the havan took place.