Kanpur: A 65-year-old cricket umpire died after a swarm of bees attacked players, officials and spectators during a match in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur. Several
others were injured in the sudden incident and have been admitted to hospital.
Sudden chaos at under-13 match
The victim, Manik Gupta, was officiating an under-13 cricket match at a local stadium when the swarm descended on the ground. Eyewitnesses said panic spread quickly as players and members of the crowd ran for cover to escape the bees.
Gupta reportedly suffered multiple stings and sustained serious injuries during the attack. He was first taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. However, as his condition worsened, he was shifted to a higher medical centre. Doctors later declared him dead.
Several injured, one umpire stable
Another umpire, Jagdish Sharma, was also injured in the incident but is said to be out of danger. A number of players and spectators who were stung are undergoing treatment and are reported to be stable.
Gupta had been associated with the Kanpur Cricket Association for nearly three decades and had officiated several prominent regional matches during his long career. His sudden death has left the local cricketing community in shock.
Similar past incident
The incident has drawn comparisons to a 2019 episode when a one-day match between India A and England Lions in Thiruvananthapuram was temporarily halted after a bee swarm attacked people at the stadium. While several individuals were stung in that case, no fatalities were reported.
