20 injured in two separate honey bee attacks in Kolhapur district

Kolhapur: Around 20 people were injured in two separate honey bee attacks reported over the past two days in the district. The victims are currently receiving treatment at rural and sub-district hospitals.The first incident occurred on Thursday afternoon at Chhatrapati Shahu Udyan in Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Nagar, Kagal. According to reports, a ball struck a beehive on a tree inside the park, triggering a swarm of agitated bees. The insects attacked residents in Ambedkar Nagar, Mali Galli, and nearby Koshti Galli.Narayan Bhimrao Kamble (50) from Shendur, and Dinkar Shankar Gondhali (70) sustained serious injuries and are undergoing treatment at the Kagal Rural Hospital. Several others—including Sushila Ramchandra Kachade, Nikhil Namdev Kamble, Sudhakar Namdev Kamble, Mahendra Machhindra Pawar, Shubham Kamble, Swapnil Shankar Kamble, Shantabai Dinkar Gondhali, Sagar Madhukar Kodawade, Ashwini Anil Kale, and Viraj Anil Kale—received treatment and were later discharged.In a separate incident on Wednesday around 10:15am, a swarm of bees descended on the bus stand area in Ajara, sparking panic among commuters. Despite attempts to flee, several individuals were chased and stung.The injured—identified as Maruti Patil, Lakhoba Gawde, Ashok Gawde, Sandhya Gawde (from Chandgad tehsil), Janu Kokare, Nilesh Parpolkar, Dhanaji Malankar, and Vatsala Malvankar—were rushed to Ajara Rural Hospital, where they are currently undergoing treatment. Maruti Patil's condition worsened, prompting his transfer to the sub-district hospital in Gadhinglaj.Experts attribute the spike in such incidents to rising temperatures and an increase in forest and farm fires. Environmental expert Umakant Chavan said, "The increasing temperature and the increased number of farm fire and forest fire cases have resulted in honey bees becoming aggressive. Last year as well, honey bee attacks were seen at a high in the months of March and April. People should not disturb the beehive, and if these bees follow, then lying down on the road is the best possible way to avoid a bee sting."