17 injured as giant honeybees swarm KSRTC bus near Gavi in Keralam
A swarm of giant honeybees attacked a KSRTC bus near the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala, injuring 17 passengers. The incident occurred in a remote area with poor mobile connectivity, complicating the rescue efforts by forest officials.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the risks of human-wildlife conflict in protected forest areas and the logistical challenges of emergency response in remote regions.
Seventeen persons were injured after a swarm of giant honeybees attacked a KSRTC bus near Gavi in Pathanamthitta district on Monday (September 21, 2026).
The incident occurred around 11 a.m. near Kozhikanam, close to the Vallakkadavu checkpost in Vandiperiyar, within the Periyar Tiger Reserve. The bus, which had 58 people on board, including the crew, had left Pathanamthitta at 5.30 a.m. for Kumily via Gavi.
As the bus passed Gavi, the driver stopped at a narrow stretch of road to give way to an oncoming car. In an instant, a swarm of bees surged into the bus, sending passengers into panic. They hurriedly shut the windows and shutters, but the bees began stinging them relentlessly. Several passengers jumped off the bus and fled, only to be chased by the swarm and stung again.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in