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A swarm of bees attacked passersby in Aurillac, France, on Sunday (July 6), resulting in three hospitalizations and 21 additional injuries. The incident occurred around 10 a.m. local time, with victims stung over a 30-minute span. The bees originated from hives located on the roof of a large hotel in the town, according to local authorities.
The three individuals who were hospitalized experienced severe allergic reactions, with one elderly person suffering a cardiac arrest before being successfully resuscitated. By Sunday afternoon, their conditions had stabilized. The presence of Asian hornets in Europe may have agitated the bees, causing the unusual aggression.
Aurillac's mayor, Pierre Mathonier, expressed concern about the placement of beehives in urban areas, considering a potential ban following the attack. The hives have since been removed and relocated outside the town. Lt Col Michel Cayla, overseeing local fire services, described the event as unprecedented in terms of victim count and injury severity.
As the situation calms, the local government is reviewing safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.