A SWARM of African bees last Thursday afternoon attacked several residents and animals of La Belle Alliance village on the Essequibo Coast.

According to reports, the bees, which were living in an old, abandoned concrete house that is taken over by bushes, caused confusion while attacking several persons, including pedal cyclists and motorcyclists.

One resident known as Suresh  said the bees, in their thousands, took control of the street as persons ran for safety. He said also that several animals that were grazing in the area had to scamper off in different directions as the bees pounced upon them.

The resident, who is a painter, said that he and other workers were painting a house near to the hive of the killer bees when the attack started. According to Suresh, they had to abandon the job and run to safety. He said that now the workers are refusing to return to work.

Several residents said the owner of the yard and the abandoned house where the bees are living cannot be found. They said the situation is very dangerous because the area is a residential one, and little children use the street to walk to and from school.

They said despite several reports to the Regional Administration and the Department of Agriculture during the previous administration, nothing had been done to eradicate the killer bees. (Rajendra Prabhulall)