Mardi worker killed by bee swarm while collecting honey at farm in Kemaman

Kemaman police chief Supt Mohd Razi Rosli announced that a Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) worker lost his life due to a bee swarm attack while gathering honey at the institute’s farm in Ayer Putih. The incident took place at 9.50am on October 25 when Hafizul Mat, a 40-year-old general worker, was collecting honey with his colleague.

Despite the advice of his colleague to avoid the beehive, which was located on a dry tree three meters tall, Hafizul insisted on proceeding. He requested his colleague to wait 50 meters away before he climbed the tree to collect the honey. However, Hafizul was swiftly overwhelmed by a swarm of bees. With his colleague urging him to run, Hafizul climbed down the tree and jumped into a nearby pool of water to escape the stings.

He later experienced excruciating pain in his arms and legs and collapsed unconscious, convulsing violently. Hafizul's colleague immediately sought help from two other coworkers and called for an ambulance, which transported him to Kemaman Hospital for further treatment. Tragically, the hospital confirmed that Hafizul had succumbed to his injuries and passed away at 6.42pm.