Belize Teen Drowns While Escaping Killer Bee Swarm

Eighteen‑year‑old Xue Liu, an autistic teenager, was attacked by a swarm of killer bees while walking with her father along the Philip Goldson Highway near the Whitfield residential community in Belize. To flee the insects she jumped into the nearby Belize River, where she drowned.

A social‑media appeal prompted the Belize Coast Guard, police, civilian divers and volunteers, including 501 Lifeguards owner Andrew Gentle, to launch a multi‑hour search using boats, diving gear and drones. The body was recovered shortly before 4 a.m. after several hours of searching. Liu’s father was taken to hospital for treatment, while relatives and community members waited at the scene.