Chhattisgarh woman dies, son-in-law injured in honeybee swarm attack in Dhamtari forest

RAIPUR: A woman died and her son-in-law was seriously injured after a swarm of honeybees attacked them while they were collecting forest produce in a jungle area of Chhattisgarh’s Dhamtari district on Tuesday morning.

The incident was reported from Palgaon village in Dugli region, where Ramwati Netam had gone into the forest along with her relative to collect sarai seeds and other forest produce when they were suddenly attacked by a large swarm of bees.

According to local residents, the two panicked and tried to run in different directions to escape the attack, but the bees continued stinging them repeatedly.

Villagers said both sustained multiple stings and collapsed in the forest. Family members and locals later rushed them to hospital, where Ramwati Netam succumbed during treatment.

Her son-in-law, who was also seriously injured in the attack, is admitted at the hospital. Doctors said his condition was stable and he is recovering.

Police carried out postmortem formalities and handed over the woman’s body to the family for last rites.

The incident has triggered shock in the village, with residents saying bee swarms have become increasingly aggressive in forested areas during peak summer.

Locals said many villagers continue depending on forests for daily collection activities such as sarai seed gathering, tendu leaf collection and firewood, forcing them to venture deep into wooded areas despite rising risks from wild animals, insects and extreme heat conditions.