Bees sting 55 at Kolhapur crematorium, 12 still in hospital

Kolhapur: Thousands of bees swarmed and attacked a crowd at a crematorium in Yelawade village on Wednesday morning, stinging more than 55 people. Of them, 43 got basic treatment at the primary health centre in Rashivade village. Twelve people, who were in a more serious condition, had to be admitted to Kolhapur's CPR Hospital, where they are still under treatment.The incident occurred when relatives of a deceased man and other villagers were waiting for crows to come and touch the nived (offering to the departed soul) as part of the third-day funeral rites. The sudden bee attack sparked chaos, and people started running in different directions to save themselves.Omkar Patole, the sarpanch of Yelawade, said, "There is a beehive on a coconut tree on the premises of the crematorium. More than 200 people had gathered for the funeral rites of 67-year-old Vasant Patil on Wednesday at 10pm. While people were waiting for the crows, a large coconut leaf fell on the beehive, disturbing the bees. The bees immediately started swarming and stinging people standing below. People started running to take shelter. Some even entered a nearby poultry. The bee attack continued for around 30 minutes."On being informed about the incident, the local administration and health department personnel started relief work. Medical teams went to the spot, provided first aid to the injured, and sent them to the hospital for further treatment.Dr Anirudha Pimpale, the Kolhapur district health officer, said, "A total of 55 people first came to the primary health centre at Rashiwade with bee stings on their bodies, mostly on their faces. Of the 55 people, 43 were provided anti-allergic treatment at the PHC. Twelve who were in a serious condition were shifted to the CPR Hospital in Kolhapur on 108 and 102 ambulances. They are currently undergoing treatment."Last month, 12 people from Kagal and eight from Ajara in Kolhapur district were stung by bees in two different incidents.