Pune: Wild Bee Attack Injures Over 35 Students During Trek at Madhe Ghat Near Pune
Pune/Velhe, 5th January 2026: More than 35 students and instructors were injured after a swarm of wild bees attacked a trekking group at Madhe Ghat in Rajgad taluka, near Pune, on Sunday evening. Most of the injured students were aged between 14 and 17 years. Swift intervention by local villagers helped avert a major tragedy, officials said.
According to preliminary information, a group of over 50 students and trainers from a Pune-based adventure trekking institute was trekking from Madhe Ghat towards Upanda. While descending through a dense forest stretch, a beehive located on a tree was inadvertently disturbed, triggering an aggressive swarm of wild bees, locally known as Aagya Mohol.
The sudden attack caused panic among the trekkers, with several students scattering in different directions to escape the swarm. In the chaos, some students slipped on rocky surfaces and fell into narrow ravines and uneven terrain, complicating rescue efforts.
One of the trekkers immediately alerted Abhijit Bheke, owner of the Toran Machi Hotel. The incident quickly gained attention through social media, prompting former Keld village sarpanch Ramesh Shinde and several local residents to rush to the location.
Demonstrating remarkable presence of mind, villagers rescued students stranded near steep slopes and cliff edges. The injured were shifted to Velhe Rural Hospital using private vehicles and 108 emergency ambulances.
Hospital officials said that eight to ten students sustained serious injuries, while around 25 others suffered minor injuries. The injured complained of symptoms including:
-Severe swelling of the face, eyes and lips
-Nausea and vomiting
-Acute pain and dizziness
Medical officer Dr Dnyaneshwar Hiras, along with his team at Velhe Rural Hospital, administered immediate treatment. Two students in critical condition were later referred to a private hospital in Pune for advanced medical care.
Taluka Medical Officer Dr Ambadas Devkar confirmed that the condition of the remaining injured students is stable.
Advisory Issued for Trekkers:
Following the incident, local authorities issued an advisory cautioning trekkers that wild bee activity increases in the Sahyadri ranges during the winter season.
Trekkers have been advised to:
-Avoid wearing dark-coloured clothing
-Refrain from shouting or lighting fires in forested areas
-Exercise caution while passing through dense vegetation
Officials stressed that heightened awareness and preventive measures are essential to avoid similar incidents at popular trekking destinations.
