9 injured in bee attack at Shivneri Fort

“The incident took place close to Kadelot Point situated some distance away from the main area of the fort. The access to this specific point had been barricaded. However, some people managed to end up in the said area. Nine persons were stung by the bees from a nearby beehive. The incident can be partly attributed to rising temperatures among other factors.” said Deputy Conservator of Forest (Junnar Division) Amol Satpute.

Range Forest Officer Pradeep Chavan said, “Two Forest Guards and two members of a medical team and five visitors were among those who were stung. They were immediately rushed to a nearby medical centre where they were administered treatment including injections to those who had minor reactions. All were discharged after the treatment and one required hospitalisation.”

Earlier on Wednesday, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis along with Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar were among various leaders who visited the fort to pay tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

In a similar incident in March 2022 on Shivneri Fort, at least 200 people were injured after a large swarm of bees suddenly galvanised from three nearby beehives. Similar incidents have been reported in the past from historic hill forts like Rajgad and Sinhagad near Pune. Forest officials have said in some of these cases agitation of swarms can be attributed to rising temperatures along with strong smells such as that of perfumes or smoke caused by human presence or any other disturbance caused by humans.