A 65-year-old umpire died and several players were injured after a swarm of bees attacked them during a cricket match in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao district. According to the PTI reports, the incident took place on Wednesday evening at Sapru Maidan in the Shuklaganj area during a match organised by the Kanpur Cricket Association.
Manik Gupta, a resident of Kanpur, was officiating as the umpire during the match. According to the media report, the first innings had ended and the second innings was underway when players took a drinks break after a few overs. During the break, a swarm of bees suddenly descended on the ground and attacked players and umpires. Players and match officials lay flat on the ground in an attempt to protect themselves, but the attack continued and many were stung.
Gupta sustained serious injuries and fell unconscious. He was taken first to a private hospital in Shuklaganj and later referred to Lala Lajpat Rai Hospital in Kanpur, where doctors declared him dead. Another umpire and around 15 to 20 players were also stung in the attack. Their condition was reported to be stable.