Chaos from Beehives Spilled from Truck... 5 Million Honeybees Stir Up in Canada

Truck Carrying Beehives Falls on Road
Accident Caused by Loose Securing Rope
Even Experts in Beekeeping Suits Tense

A truck carrying beehives on a road in Canada dropped the beehives, causing a commotion with 5 million bees flying around.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

According to BBC and other outlets on the 30th (local time), at around 6:15 a.m. that day, a truck transporting beehives on a road in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, dropped the beehives, covering the area with swarms of bees. The accident is believed to have occurred because the ropes securing the beehives had loosened.

The escaped bees from the hives turned the surroundings into chaos. The driver reported the incident to the police, but even the police, who were experiencing such a situation for the first time, were equally flustered.

Eventually, the police, searching for beekeepers, requested help through social media (SNS). Several beekeeping experts arrived at the scene and managed the situation.

Michael Barber, a beekeeper with 11 years of experience, said, "When I arrived, there were probably 1,000 bees in front of my truck," adding, "There were so many flying bees that even beekeepers wearing protective suits were tense." He added, "I hope never to experience something like this again."

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The total number of bees that escaped from the hives was estimated to be 5 million. Constable Ryan Anderson told Canadian media CBC, "The boxes containing the bees were on the road, and the swarms were flying around here and there," adding, "It seems the beekeepers at the scene were stung several times."

The police blocked pedestrian and vehicle traffic in the area to prevent attacks by the swarms. The commotion was reported to have been resolved around 9:15 a.m., three hours later. However, the police advised residents and drivers to keep their windows closed to avoid bee swarms until the afternoon as a precaution against any unforeseen situations.

A beekeeper is managing a swarm of bees pouring out of a beehive.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, the police are investigating the exact cause of the accident. The truck driver is reported to have been booked on charges of violating road traffic laws due to improper cargo loading.