Nine Elementary Students Going to School in Gunpo Stung by Bees... Transported to Hospital

No Patients with Respiratory Distress or Allergy Symptoms
Fire Department Removes Two Beehives Found in School Flower Beds

Nine elementary school students were stung by bees while going to school in Gunpo-si, Gyeonggi Province.

On the 2nd, Yonhap News reported that around 8:52 a.m., nine elementary school students were stung by bees on their way to school on a school route in Sanbon-dong, Gunpo-si, Gyeonggi Province.

The fire department received a 119 emergency call from a school official reporting that "several students were stung by bees on the school route" and dispatched personnel to the scene. As a result of the incident, six male students and three female students, totaling nine, were injured and transported to a nearby hospital. Fortunately, none of the students showed severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing or allergies. The dispatched crew found and removed two beehives containing hornets and wasps in the flower bed near the school's main gate entrance.

A beehive found at an elementary school in Sanbon-dong, Gunpo-si, Gyeonggi Province on the 2nd
[Photo by Gyeonggi-do Fire & Disaster Headquarters, Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, recently, the fire department warned of an increase in bee sting accidents as the population of hornets has rapidly increased due to prolonged heat waves.

The growth and activity of bees become more vigorous as the temperature rises, and this year, bee sting accidents have surged by 40% compared to the average year. According to rescue activity statistics released by the National Fire Agency on the 25th of last month, over the past three years (2021?2023), bee sting accidents have sharply increased starting in July, when the heat begins, with an annual average of 6,213 cases.

In particular, bee sting accidents are concentrated in August and September, with the highest average of 1,829 cases (29.4%) occurring in August. The number of cases in September and July were 1,764 (28.4%) and 1,365 (22.0%), respectively. This year, as of the end of July, there have already been 2,815 bee sting accidents. The number of cardiac arrest patients caused by bee stings was seven in 2020, eleven in 2021, eleven in 2022, and eleven in 2023. This year, as of the 18th of last month, eight cardiac arrest patients have been reported.

The National Fire Agency also provided behavioral guidelines to avoid bee stings for visitors and outdoor activity participants during the Chuseok holiday in September.

Bees show greater aggression toward dark-colored clothing and strong perfumes or scented cosmetics, so it is advisable to wear white-colored clothes and wide-brimmed hats during outdoor activities and avoid strong perfumes or scented cosmetics.

Additionally, if you come into contact with a beehive, cover your head and quickly move at least 20 meters away. If stung by a bee, promptly remove the stinger, disinfect or wash the affected area with clean water, and apply ice packs to relieve pain. If an allergic reaction causes anaphylactic shock, death can occur within an hour, so it is crucial to immediately call 119 or visit a nearby hospital.