A 48-year-old resident of Koparkhairane died, and at least seven to eight tourists were injured after being attacked by a swarm of bees on Saturday morning at Karnala Bird Sanctuary in Panvel Taluka. The incident occurred around 11 AM on February 15, 2025.
According to Panvel Taluka police, as the bees attacked, the tourists began running for safety. During the chaos, a Koparkhairane resident, identified as Sandeep Sharma, fell and sustained severe injuries. His wife, Charu Sharma, also suffered bee stings and sustained injuries.
Additionally, a group of engineering students from a college in Matunga, who were visiting the sanctuary for a trek, were also attacked by the swarm.
Karnala Bird Sanctuary sees a high footfall of tourists on weekends. Senior Police Inspector Gajanan Ghadge of Panvel Taluka Police stated that Sharma succumbed to his injuries after falling while attempting to escape the bee attack.
Sanctuary official Narayan Rathod confirmed the incident. The injured students are receiving treatment within the sanctuary, while Sharma’s body has been sent to Panvel Sub-District Hospital.