By Frank Kwame Abbor, GNA
Sokode Gborgame, June 10, GNA – A man has died while a fire officer is receiving treatment after a swarm of bees attacked workers and emergency responders at a quarry site near Sokode Gbogame in the Ho Municipality.
The incident occurred on Monday evening along the Abutia stretch of the road from Sokode Gbogame when personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) responded to a distress call reporting that a man had been attacked by bees at a quarry site.
Mr Hope Bedzrah, Volta Regional Public Relations Officer of the GNFS, confirmed the incident to the Ghana News Agency and said the Municipal Fire Office in Ho immediately dispatched a five-member rescue team to the scene upon receiving the distress call.
According to him, the firefighters arrived at the site and commenced efforts to rescue the victim and contain the situation.
The operation, however took an unexpected turn, when another swarm of bees suddenly emerged and attacked the responding officers.
“While the team was battling the initial swarm to save the victim, a second group of bees unexpectedly attacked the firefighters, disrupting the rescue operation and placing the officers in danger,” Mr Bedzrah said.
He said the leader of the rescue team sustained injuries during the attack and was rushed to the Mater Ecclesia Hospital for treatment.
Mr Bedzrah noted that the condition of the injured officer had not been officially disclosed but indicated that he was responding to treatment.
He further disclosed that the Service later received confirmation that the original victim had succumbed to the bee attack despite efforts to save him.
The identity of the deceased has not yet been released as authorities work to notify family members.
Mr Macbillion Bansah, Assembly Member for the area, also confirmed the incident and said preliminary information suggested that the deceased was the manager of a quarry site located at Abutia.
“We have been informed that the deceased is believed to be the manager of the quarry site, but his identity is yet to be officially confirmed,” he said.
The incident has raised concerns among residents and stakeholders about safety measures at quarry sites and the occupational hazards faced by emergency responders in the line of duty.
The Ghana National Fire Service said investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances that triggered the attack and would provide further details as inquiries progress.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Kenneth Odeng Adade