Over 35 school students injured in bee attack during school trip in Madhe Ghat, ETEducation
Pune: At least 35 schoolchildren were injured after a swarm of bees attacked them during a school picnic in Madhe Ghat in Vehle taluka, around 70 km from Pune, on Sunday morning.
The children, aged between 10 and 15 years, were part of a trip organised by a private Pune-based organisation. The incident occurred near a forested section of the ghat road, where the group halted briefly during their journey.
According to local officials, the swarm of bees was accidentally disturbed, triggering a sudden and aggressive attack. Panic gripped the students, many of whom ran for cover, slipping and falling on the rocky terrain.
Several children suffered multiple bee stings on the face, neck and limbs, while others complained of dizziness, vomiting and severe pain. Rescue teams and local residents rushed the injured to nearby primary health centres, where they were administered treatment.
“Prompt medical intervention prevented any fatalities. All the children are stable and were discharged after treatment. Multiple bee stings can be life-threatening due to toxic reactions,” said a senior medical officer treating the victims.
An organiser, who runs a mountaineering institute in Pune, told TOI: “The beehives were located on a rocky cliff at the site. We suspect monkeys disturbed the hives, which triggered the attack. Our volunteers carried first-aid kits and successfully rescued the children, then shifted them to hospitals.
The organiser, calling the rescue operation challenging, said, “Our personnel put in all their efforts, putting aside their own safety, to help the students. Local residents also came to help us, enabling timely medical assistance. All students are now safe and stable.”
Incidents of bee attacks have increased in certain areas, including prominent forts such as Shivneri and Rajgad, as well as popular trekking destinations and caves across the district.
Many trekkers and visitors from cities such as Mumbai visit these locations without any awareness of local ecological conditions.
Forest officials informed that there were several reasons for sudden bee attacks, but the only solution was prevention.
Smita Rajhans, assistant conservator of forests, Junnar forest division, said, “Bee attack incidents have risen at forts and trekking sites. Visitors must take precautions. We have installed caution boards at frequently visited locations to raise awareness, but visitors must also ensure their own safety.”
The incident has raised concerns over safety arrangements during school excursions, particularly in forest and ghat areas. Some parents alleged delays in medical attention at a rural health centre, claiming doctors were not immediately available.
Trek organisers pointed out that such attacks often occur in remote locations, making evacuation difficult.”Primary health centres in these areas lack adequate facilities, medicines and regular availability of doctors. In such situations, treating victims becomes extremely challenging,” said Santosh Dukare, a private trek organiser in Junnar.
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