An horrific incident occurred earlier in Yunnan Province, China. A pair of siblings, aged 7 and 2, were attacked by a swarm of hornets in a field and died from being stung 300 and 700 times respectively. The beekeeper involved has been charged with 'negligent homicide' and is awaiting trial, but has stated, 'Although I feel very guilty, I can't afford to pay compensation.'
The incident occurred at the end of June this year. The siblings from Chuxiong Prefecture, Mouding County, Yunnan Province, accompanied their grandmother to a cornfield, where they played nearby as their grandmother worked the fields.
During this time, the two siblings accidentally wandered into a forest, disturbing the black-breasted hornets bred by a villager named Li, and were attacked by a swarm. Their grandmother risked her life to enter the woods, first pulling out her grandson, then going back to rescue her granddaughter.
When rescuers arrived, the girl had already died, and the boy passed away the next day after being sent to the hospital. The grandmother, who was also stung by hornets, had to be hospitalized for a week.
The forensic report indicated that the older brother sustained over 300 sting wounds, while his younger sister suffered up to 700.
38-year-old beekeeper Li had invested tens of thousands of yuan last year to breed black-breasted hornets, some of which were kept at home, and 10 bee boxes were placed on trees in the woods, about two meters off the ground with no fencing.
●Beekeeper: Very Guilty But Can't Afford to Compensate
Police have filed a case for negligent homicide, and Li was detained for a week before being released on bail pending trial. He said he has paid 40,000 RMB (23,700 MYR) in compensation, but due to financial difficulties, he cannot afford more, stating he feels very guilty but 'I've already borrowed money from friends and family, but I just can't borrow anymore.'