Members of the public are being urged to stay away from Palmiste Park, San Fernando, until further notice, following a bee attack there that left five people, including a child, hospitalised on Monday.
Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries Kazim Hosein made the call yesterday, after an assessment of the park found seven bee hives at the park.
“I urge all citizens to heed the advice of the authorities and avoid entering Palmiste Park until further notice. Bee stings can cause serious injury or even death, particularly for those who are allergic. We are taking proactive measures to address the situation and ensure the safety of park users. Let us all exercise caution and prioritise safety in our recreational activities,” Hosein said in a statement.
Earlier in the day, sprayers Sternard Haynes and Chris Abraham, from the ministry’s Bee Abatement Unit, cordoned off the danger zones with red caution tape after identifying the hives.
Noting that the bees were probably aggravated by the activities and the noise, Haynes said they observed a rope tied to a tree branch and a tyre swing. They also found a cricket bat and ball near the trees.
He said they would receive instructions from their supervisors on the way forward but most likely the next step would be spraying.
“Once we spray the bees and the bees die off they will make contact with the Forestry Department and they will make the necessary arrangement to have the trees and the cavities cut out to ensure that the park is safe for the public,” Haynes said.
Describing the situation as unfortunate, Terrence Honoré said he arrived after the commotion, but people were still in the park and so were the bees. He said they first received a report about the bees in the park by workers, and the ministry personnel sprayed. However, he said two weeks ago they got another report about bees in the inner forested area of the park and then last week, they got information that bees returned to the first tree.
He said experts explained that there is an increase in bee activity around this time, particularly with the bushfires. He said the challenge is that the bees have various entry and exit points to their hive so that even if they spray, the bees escape and then return to rebuild their hives.
Noting that Africanised and honey bees were spotted in the park, Honoré said the trees were old and contained large or deep cavities which made it difficult to reach the bees.
While signage alerting people of the increased presence of bees is one option, he said people need to be vigilant when visiting the park.
Assuring that they were working with stakeholders to monitor the bee population and address the situation, Honoré said, “We want to express our concern for those who were stung and tell people to be very vigilant whenever they use the park to ensure that they are alert. Look for the hyperactive activities of bees and ensure that you do not disturb them. You do not make too much noise. Don’t dance and palance and carry on because the bees will respond.”
A ministry crew is expected to return to the park today.
The attack occurred around 4.15 pm, in the midst of several activities at the park, including the Rapidfire Kidz Foundation petting zoo and car show event and a birthday lime.
At least eight people, including four children, were treated at the San Fernando General Hospital following the attack.
Contrary to social media reports that one of the injured people, Jeffrey Ramroop, had died, a relative confirmed that he was recovering at the hospital. The four other people include a woman and her three children, one of whom is a minor.