Swarming bees attack, injuring seven people at Texas park, officials say

Bees swarmed visitors at a city park in Texas, leaving seven people injured, officials say.

Paramedics responded to a call about a “bee swarm attack” at Richard Moya Park, on Austin’s southeast side, at about 5 p.m. on May 29, Austin-Travis County EMS said in a tweet.

The department asked people to avoid the area.

It’s not clear what may have triggered the attack, but seven people were stung, officials said. Victims were assessed and treated, but did not need to be taken to a hospital.

Bees generally only attack when they feel their hive or colony is being threatened, though they will also attack if “seriously disturbed outside the nest,” according to the University of California San Diego. When bees do attack, they emit a pheromone encouraging other bees to join in.

While fatal attacks are rare, they do happen. From 1999 to 2019, bees, wasps and hornets accounted for 1,299 deaths nationwide, and 179 in Texas, McClatchy News reported.

This story was originally published May 30, 2023 at 8:11 AM with the headline "Swarming bees attack, injuring seven people at Texas park, officials say."