Overview
- The attack occurred Wednesday, October 21, 2026, when a man clearing brush in Larouco was swarmed by Vespa velutina and died at the scene.
- Emergency teams, including a medicalized ambulance, a helicopter and the municipal doctor, were unable to give antivenom in time and colleagues say the hornets penetrated his protective visor to sting his head and neck.
- Authorities and local reports identified the victim as José E. A., a trainee in a regional employment workshop who lived in Manzaneda and worked on shared projects for nearby towns.
- Regional officials have acknowledged an extraordinary increase in nests despite removal campaigns, and last autumn saw multiple fatalities as the species’ active season extended into autumn.
- Experts link the delayed and intensified autumn activity to drought, which could raise lasting risks for outdoor workers and expose gaps in protective gear and rapid medical response in remote areas.