Overview

• A half-hour swarm on July 6 saw rooftop bees descend on Aurillac’s streets, stinging 24 people and hospitalizing three.
• Firefighters, police and medical teams quickly secured the area, treating victims on site and resuscitating a 78-year-old who suffered cardiorespiratory arrest.
• All three critically injured patients have since stabilized, including the elderly victim who endured 25 stings.
• Mayor Pierre Mathonier suggested Asian hornets threatening the rooftop hive provoked the attack, but experts note bees typically defend by retreating.
• The Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux apiary has been removed while authorities weigh relocation or culling and consider new urban hive regulations.