63-Year-Old Woman Dies in Shocking Bee Attack Near Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram: A 63-year-old woman tragically died from injuries sustained after being attacked by a swarm of bees while she and others were clearing bushes in a nearby village, police said on Saturday.

The deceased woman has been identified as Susheela, a native of Mulayara in Aruvikkara village panchayat. 

More than 20 laborers involved in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA), including Susheela, were injured in a bee attack while working on October 7.

Woman Killed In Shocking Bee Attack In Thiruvananthapuram

Susheela had been receiving treatment in the intensive care unit of the Medical College Hospital and passed away on Friday night. While most of the other injured laborers have been discharged, the condition of one more woman remains critical, according to police reports.

Earlier, SDRF officials announced in June that victims of attacks by bees, hornets, or wasps can now seek compensation from the disaster response fund managed by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority.

Authorities have classified bee and wasp attacks as pest attacks, allowing victims to claim compensation according to the guidelines of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).

Kerala Govt's Compensation To Those Killed In Bee Attacks

In the year 2022, the Kerala government also announced to grant a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for deaths caused due to bee and wasp attacks.

Families of the victims will receive compensation comparable to that provided for fatalities resulting from wild animal attacks.

According to the cabinet's decision, the terms "bee" and "wasp" have been included under the definition of wild animals in the Forest Conservation Act of 1980. However, these insects are not classified as wild animals under the central law. Therefore, there are no legal restrictions on beekeeping or the extermination of harmful wasps.