At least 50 stung by bees at Bacolod City election site

Philippine Red Cross Negros Occidental-Bacolod youth and safety service ambulance team members attend to the bee sting victims. –PHILIPPINE RED CROSS

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BACOLOD CITY—At least 50 people were stung by bees at the Rodolfo Medel Elementary School in Barangay Tangub, Bacolod City, at 9:58 a.m. on Election Day.

Dr. Anna Maria Laarni M. Pornan, Bacolod Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head, said the affected individuals, who were in the area to vote, were given first aid and monitored for allergic reactions.

“The bees appeared suddenly and aggressively pursued the victims, causing numerous stings. Some of the individuals who were in the area sustained bee stings and required medical attention,” the DRRMO reported.

“The attack may have been provoked by disturbance to a nearby hive, though the exact cause remains unclear. The beehives were on a branch of an acacia tree approximately 20 feet high,” it added.

The DRRMO report said the area was cleared and secured to prevent further incidents.

The DRRMO, Bacolod emergency medical services and the Philippine Red Cross administered first aid on-site, including removal of stingers and application of cold compress.

The Bacolod City Health Office pest control services were contacted to locate and safely remove the beehive, but it was advised that it be scheduled for another day because further disturbance to the hive could result in more people getting stung.

In the meantime, warning signs have been posted in the area, the DRRMO report said. /cfc