Panic erupted during a religious procession in Panama when a massive swarm of “killer bees” suddenly descended on a crowd, leaving more than 150 people injured and dozens rushed to hospitals.
The chaos unfolded in the town of Penonomé during a Good Friday event known as the Stations of the Cross — a solemn reenactment of Jesus Christ’s journey to the crucifixion. What began as a peaceful gathering quickly turned into a scene of confusion and fear as aggressive bees flooded the area.
Witnesses said people scattered in all directions trying to escape the swarm. By the time emergency crews arrived, roughly 150 people had been stung, with at least 50 needing hospital treatment. Among the injured was the priest leading the procession.
Local fire officials flooded the scene, with videos showing emergency vehicles lining the streets as responders worked to help victims and secure the area. Authorities say this isn’t an isolated incident either — the region has already seen a surge in bee attacks this year, with more than 1,800 reported cases in just the first two months.
So what exactly are “killer bees”?
Known scientifically as Africanized bees, they’re a hybrid created in the 1950s when scientists attempted to boost honey production by combining African and European honey bee species. The result was a bee that thrives in hot climates — but also one that’s far more defensive than typical honey bees.
Despite the terrifying nickname, a single Africanized bee isn’t more dangerous than a regular honey bee. The real threat comes when they attack in large numbers.
Unlike standard honey bees, which send out a small percentage of defenders, Africanized bees can swarm in massive waves — sometimes hundreds of thousands strong. Even more alarming, each sting releases a chemical signal that attracts even more bees to the attack.
Experts say it can take around 1,000 stings to kill an adult, making large swarms especially dangerous.
Officials haven’t confirmed what triggered this particular attack, but experts note that bee aggression tends to spike during hotter, drier months when food is scarce.
