40 hurt in Niger bee attack

2010-03-22 22:25

Niamey - Angry bees attacked villagers in southwestern Niger after being disturbed on Monday, putting more than 40 badly-stung residents in hospital and killing some of their animals, private radio Anfani reported.

The bees swarmed into Dake-Garka village after a gust of wind broke the tree branch which had held their nest for more than half a century, sending panic-stricken people fleeing into the bush, the radio said.

More than 40 villagers, including 14 children, were admitted to emergency wards of the regional hospital in Birni-N'Konni, it said.

A horse and a donkey died of stings while 95 goats and sheep were left paralysed.

"They felt aggressed by us and they riposted," village head Chaibou Abdoulkarim told Anfani.

Hours after the invasion, many residents were still afraid to return to their homes, besieged by bees, he said.
 

- SAPA