Honeybees attack congregation during Good Friday service in Shivamogga

Shivamogga: A solemn Good Friday service at the Sacred Heart Church on BH Road turned into a scene of panic when a massive swarm of honeybees attacked the congregation.The incident took place during the procession—a central ritual marking the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. As hundreds of devotees gathered in prayer, the bees, reportedly nesting within the church structure, were suddenly disturbed and swarmed the crowd.The attack left over 50 people injured, including the priest, several women and young children. The atmosphere quickly shifted from one of silent mourning to absolute chaos as devotees scrambled in every direction to escape the swarm of bees. Due to the severity of the situation, the Good Friday service had to be halted midway.Emergency services responded immediately, with nearly 20 individuals who sustained multiple stings being rushed by ambulance to McGann District Hospital for urgent medical care. Kote police visited the church premises shortly after the incident to assess the situation and ensure the safety of the public. Speaking to reporters, Shivamogga SP B Nikhil said most of the injured are reported to be stable and undergoing treatment.