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Incident Record

One dead and several injured after bees from large hive swarm in Marana

Northwest Fire District reported at least six people were stung in Marana; three civilians were reportedly stung hundreds of times and transported, one person died, and firefighters were also stung, including one reportedly stung about 60 times.

Record ID: AZ-PIMA-2021-0729
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This record is part of a first-pass incident research dataset. Records, categories, and source notes may be updated as additional information is reviewed and verified.
Date 7/29/2021
Location Marana / Thomas Arron Drive and Moore Road, AZ, Pima County, AZ
State AZ
Record Type Fatal Attack / Mass Stinging
Trigger / Activity Residential / Property Exposure
Severity Fatality
Bee ID Status Bee ID Unknown
Aggression Classification Defensive Swarm / Mass Stinging

Incident Summary

Northwest Fire District reported at least six people were stung in Marana; three civilians were reportedly stung hundreds of times and transported, one person died, and firefighters were also stung, including one reportedly stung about 60 times.

Public-Safety Lesson

Large established colonies can endanger bystanders and responders. Responder exposure should be tracked separately because rescuers may become additional victims.

Impact Flags

Human Fatality Yes
Human Hospitalized Yes
Animal Fatality No
Responder Involved Yes

Source Information

Source: ABC15 / 12News / CBS News / FOX 10

Source Strength: B - Established News / Fire District and Officials Quoted