Ibirité teen recovers after bee swarm attack in Minas Gerais

A 13-year-old girl, Safira Gomes, is recovering in a hospital in Ibirité, near Belo Horizonte, after being attacked by a bee swarm. The incident occurred when a beehive fell from a tree while she was walking her younger sister to school, resulting in more than 100 stings. A motorcyclist and local social project volunteers assisted in the rescue; the motorcyclist reportedly received approximately 40 stings during the attempt to help.

Following recent swarm incidents in Minas Gerais, the Fire Department has issued warnings regarding common mistakes during such attacks. Authorities advise against using water sprays or insecticides to disperse bees. Such actions can trigger the release of alarm pheromones, which signals the rest of the hive to defend the colony, thereby intensifying the attack and making the insects more aggressive.