50 injured, several hospitalised in bee attack at Kandivali
Animal welfare officer rescues some residents, says it’s not clear what caused bees to become agitated.
Over 50 people were left writhing in agony and many had to be rushed to hospital after a hive of bees attacked people in Gaurav Garden Complex, which comprises around 30 buildings at Bandarpakhadi village, Kandivali (W), on Monday afternoon. What caused the bees to become agitated is unclear.
“I had just come out of my building at noon when I saw a few people running here and there. I noticed they were being stung by bees and soon realised that a huge hive on the ninth floor of Gaurav Gagan building had been disturbed,” said Ankit Vyas, an animal welfare officer and a resident of the complex.
Pritam Dhavale, another resident, said, “I was on my way home when I saw my neighbour Naina Sandesara (65) covered with bees. She was in a terrible condition, with bees all over her face and hands. Somehow I managed to rescue her and take her to Shatabadi Hopsital, where doctors gave her anti-allergy medication.”
A medical officer at the hospital said, "She was brought with multiple stings on her head, face hands. We removed around 40 stings from her body. As she was brought to the hospital quickly, there was no delay in starting her treatment and her condition is now stable."
Meanwhile, Vyas said he was trying to contact experts to find out if the bee hive could be removed safely.
Over 50 people were left writhing in agony and many had to be rushed to hospital after a hive of bees attacked people in Gaurav Garden Complex, which comprises around 30 buildings at Bandarpakhadi village, Kandivali (W), on Monday afternoon. What caused the bees to become agitated is unclear.
“I had just come out of my building at noon when I saw a few people running here and there. I noticed they were being stung by bees and soon realised that a huge hive on the ninth floor of Gaurav Gagan building had been disturbed,” said Ankit Vyas, an animal welfare officer and a resident of the complex.
Vyas rushed back to his home, donned a couple of jackets and returned with bedsheets to help those who were being stung. “The bees seemed to be everywhere. People were caught unaware by the swarms and many even fell off their bikes. Using gunny bags and wood, a few of us lit bonfires at 10 places to keep the bees away. But the attacks continued in other areas and by evening we learnt that some people had to be hospitalised,” he said.
Pritam Dhavale, another resident, said, “I was on my way home when I saw my neighbour Naina Sandesara (65) covered with bees. She was in a terrible condition, with bees all over her face and hands. Somehow I managed to rescue her and take her to Shatabadi Hopsital, where doctors gave her anti-allergy medication.”
A medical officer at the hospital said, "She was brought with multiple stings on her head, face hands. We removed around 40 stings from her body. As she was brought to the hospital quickly, there was no delay in starting her treatment and her condition is now stable."
Meanwhile, Vyas said he was trying to contact experts to find out if the bee hive could be removed safely.
