Farm labourer dies in attack of honey bees, 3 others injured

A 62-year-old farm labourer died and three of his family members injured after being attacked by honey bees in Akola district of Maharashtra, police said on Sunday.

The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon at Malapura in Akot tehsil, they said.

The deceased was identified as Lakshman Sukose, police said, adding that his wife, son and a two-year-old granddaughter were injured in the incident.

"Sukose, a resident of nearby Umbara village, had come to work at a farm along with the family. After working for a few hours, they took a lunch break," the official said.

"Sukose collected some sticks and started burning them underneath a tree, which housed a beehive. The smoke emanating from it reached the beehive, following which the honey bees attacked the family members," he added.

All the injured were rushed to a nearby hospital, where Sukose died. Other family members are undergoing treatment there.

A case of accidental death has been registered at Hiwarkheda police station, he said.