One killed, 5 injured as bees attack them while cleaning tank

One killed, 5 injured as bees attack them while cleaning tank

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:26.04.2021

A 34-year-old man died and five others suffered injuries after they were attacked by a swarm of honey bees while cleaning a huge water tank in Padi on Saturday.

While police identified the deceased as P S Sundar, a resident of Kodungaiyur, a fire and rescue services department employee who rushed in to help is being treated at Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital. G Sellakumar, 24, N Vinoth Kumar, 25, of Villivakkam, D Gopinath, 25, of Kodungaiyur, G Raghunath, 28, of Nagapattinam and V Michael, 46, of Mogappair are also being treated there.

While a honeybee sting is painful but is usually harmless, with people experiencing swelling, itching and redness in the affected area, it can be life threatening if stung multiple times by a swarm of bees and also if a person is allergic to the venom and develops nausea, say doctors.

Police said Sundar and five others, hired by Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) to clean the water tank at Millennium Park, were climbing down a spiral staircase by the side when they came under attack by the swarm. Sundar rushed down the stairs despite being stung, while the others rushed back to the top of the tank and got stuck there.

Soon, a team of fire fighters from JJ Nagar and Kilpauk arrived. “Since they could not locate the beehive, they climbed the stairs wearing protective gear to bring down those stuck there and were also stung,” said an official. A few residents brought fire torches to chase away the bees, but failed.