Rourkela: A 59-year-old woman died and five others were injured when a swarm of bees attacked them in Sundargarh district’s Kinrikela area on Wednesday. The incident occurred while the victims were on their way to a Shiva temple on the occasion of Shivratri.
The deceased, Debaki Rana of Gaidera village, was riding pillion on a motorcycle with her brother-in-law, Tejraj Behera, when they came under attack. Sources said the bees were initially chasing a woodcutter in the nearby forest before turning their attention towards passing vehicles.
“The bees attacked the victims when they were passing through the area. Rana and Behera fell from their motorcycle during the attack,” said A Jena, IIC of Kinrikela police station.
Rana suffered a fractured hand and critical injuries in the fall. She was taken to Sundargarh district headquarters hospital where doctors declared her dead on arrival.
Among the five injured, two victims have been referred to VSS Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Burla. The other three are currently undergoing treatment at Sundargarh.
Kinrikela police have registered an unnatural death case and launched an investigation into the incident.