One dead, 8 hurt after bees attack group of picnickers in Goa

VALPOI: A 60-year-old man died on Monday after his group of nine colleagues out on a picnic were attacked by honeybees. Several others were seriously injured in the attack and were transferred to Goa Medical College (GMC) and hospital, Bambolim.

The group had gone out for a picnic at Muavcho-guno (honey stone) at Sonal, Sattari on Tuesday. Sources informed TOI that one of the picnickers was throwing stones in the river, but one mistakenly hit a nearby hive. Soon, thousands of angry bees emerged and began attacking the group. Shamrao Morey, 60, of Sonal, jumped into the water. He tried his best to hide in the river but met a watery grave there.

He was rushed to CHC Valpoi, where he was declared brought dead.

Three others from the group — Madhu Gaonkar, 27, of Advoi, Shripad Gaonkar, 33, of Mauxi, and Atmaram Raut, 24, of Sal, Bicholim — were seriously injured by the bees and were taken to GMC.

Other victims of the bee attack are Pravin Rane, 44, of Kery, Gurudas, 45, Prakash Gadkari, 56, of Dharbandora, Shivlo Zarmekar, 59, of Velus, and Rushiraj Morey, 17, who is the son of the deceased.

Sources said that a few other villagers were also injured in the bee attack, but most of them, as well as other members of the picnic group, managed to escape.

A local told TOI that hundreds of tourists visit the spot every year, and in the past, it has seen many deaths from drowning. Angry residents of Sonal demanded the prohibition of tourists at the spot.