What started as a calm Sunday morning in the quiet French town of Aurillac quickly turned into chaos as a swarm of enraged bees launched a sudden and vicious attack on unsuspecting pedestrians.
The shocking incident left 24 people injured, with three victims initially in critical condition, according to local emergency services.
Officials say the swarm struck with little warning, stinging passersby across a 30-minute window. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, treating victims and creating a safety perimeter until the bees dispersed.
Among those hospitalized was a 78-year-old individual who suffered a cardiac arrest but was successfully resuscitated.
According to Mayor Pierre Mathonier, the aggression may have been triggered by Asian hornets invading a long-established rooftop hive atop a local hotel. The disturbance is believed to have caused the bees to go into defense mode, leading to the rare and widespread assault.
The beehive, which had been in place for over a decade, has now been removed by a beekeeper and relocated outside the city limits. Fire service commander Lt. Col. Michel Cayla called the attack “unprecedented,” noting the high number of victims and the severity of some injuries.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Cayla said in an interview with TF1. “The panic, the volume of victims, and the intense nature of the attack made it truly alarming.”
The town is now reviewing safety measures related to urban beekeeping and wildlife risks, especially with growing concerns over invasive species like the Asian hornet.
