A rare bee attack within the French town of Aurillac left 24 people injured, including some critically, in accordance with local authorities.
People walking within the south-central France town were stung over a period of half-hour on July 6, in accordance with The Associated Press.
Firefighters and medical teams were rushed to the scene to treat the victims, while police arrange a security perimeter until the bees stopped their attack.
Aurillac Mayor Pierre Mathonier told French broadcaster BFM TV on July 7 that the three people in critical condition were sent to a neighborhood hospital and their condition has since improved.
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Considered one of them, a 78-year-old, needed to be resuscitated in the fireplace department’s ambulance after cardiorespiratory arrest. That person is now in stable condition, Mathonier said. The 2 others “are in good health,” he added.
Mathonier told the media that the bees could have develop into aggressive after their rooftop hives were attacked by Asian hornets. He said the rooftop beehives were installed in a downtown hotel greater than 10 years ago.
He also said that the beekeeper has removed the beehive and relocated it outside of the town.
“All ended well,” Mathonier told the general public television network France 3. “The emergency services were perfectly coordinated. There was no panic in Aurillac, but various people were stung.”
Mathonier added that a 78-year-old victim was stung 25 times.
Lt. Col. Michel Cayla, in command of the local fire services, said he had never experienced such an attack.
“When it comes to the variety of victims, the panic among the many people and the severity of a few of the injuries, it was impressive,” he told broadcaster TF1.
Reactions to stings from honeybees and wasps range in severity from minor to potentially fatal, in accordance with the Mayo Clinic. Generally, stings only cause a temporary, sharp pain, together with slight swelling and redness.
If you happen to’re allergic to insect venom, a more severe response, called anaphylaxis, can occur and require emergency medical attention, the Mayo Clinic explains.
— With files from The Associated Press
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