Washington truck spill unleashes 250 million bees, avoid area
Approximately 250 million honeybees were set free after a truck transporting them overturned on a road in Washington State, near the Canadian border, CBS News reported. Residents were urged to avoid the area of the accident.
A statement from the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office emphasized that swarming and spreading of bees may occur in the incident area.
"Avoid the area". Truck accident with bees
"250 million bees are now loose. AVOID THE AREA due to the potential of bee escaping and swarming," authorities appealed.
In the recordings released by local police, swarms of bees can be seen hovering over the overturned vehicle.
Authorities are working with beekeepers to set up temporary hives near the accident site, allowing the bees to return and save as many as possible.
Beekeepers collaborated with the police to reestablish box hives, which are special containers used for bee farming. The plan is for the bees to return to the hives and find the queen. This is expected to happen within 24 to 48 hours.
Recordings published by the police show huge swarms of bees circling the overturned truck. It was emphasized that many beekeepers are involved not only in honey production but also in renting out hives to farmers who need bees for crop pollination.
In a later statement published on social media, the authorities thanked "the wonderful community of beekeepers," mentioning that over 20 people were involved in the assistance.
