Hundreds of churchgoers fled after coming under attack by a swarm of bees during a procession.
Footage taken by a witness of the phenomenon shows attendants of the ceremony running down a street to get away from the thousands of insects at the parish church in Dagua, a town in the Department of Valle del Cauca, Colombia.
Agitated debating and cries can be heard while churchgoers are desperately trying to swat the pollinators away with their bare hands but also caps and umbrellas. Others are just hiding their heads under their T-shirts.
In another sequence, firefighters can be seen spraying the area with water in an attempt to calm down and disperse the swarm.
According to reports by Colombian online newspapers, several people had to be treated by paramedics after getting stung. However, no one was seriously injured in the incident. The procession was continued later on the same day.
Experts say that, if a great number of bees target individuals, they most likely feel threatened. Anyone under attack is advised to run in a straight line and seek shelter in a building.
Argentinian agronomist Orlando Valega said: “For bees, some odours indicate the danger of attack and predation on the hive.
“Their defensive instincts get stimulated. The smell of perfumes, gasoline and insecticides can alert them.”
Orlando added: “Regarding the colours of clothing, black appears to irritate them the most.”
The bee expert also underlined that loud noises and rough movements could upset hives.
Late University of Arizona entomologist Justin O. Schmidt advised anyone approached by a bee not to flat their arms as this would only “make everything worse.”
Dr Schmidt, who died in February 2023, said: “When you see a bee buzzing near your head, I know it’s very satisfying to flap your arms. It just feels so good to swat at it. But don’t do it!”
Erika Thompson, a swarm removal expert at Texas Beeworks in the United States, explained: “Bees and other bugs are running out of safe spaces to live and work, so as humans encroach on their environment, these interactions between species are naturally going to increase.”
When bees sting humans, the insects push a barbed stinger, which contains proteins that affect the immune system, into the skin.
Bee stings can be life-threatening to people suffering from allergies.
Experts at the American Academy of Dermatology identified swellings across one’s body, breathing difficulties, nausea and dizziness as potential allergic reactions.
