Kanpur, Feb 19: A 65-year-old umpire lost his life and around 15 to 20 players were injured after a swarm of bees attacked a cricket match in Unnao district, police said on Thursday.
The incident occurred on Wednesday evening at Sapru Maidan in the Shuklaganj area during a game organised by the Kanpur Cricket Association. According to officials, Manik Gupta from Kanpur was officiating the match when bees suddenly swarmed the ground, creating panic among players and spectators who ran for safety.
Eyewitnesses said Gupta suffered severe stings and collapsed on the field. He was first taken to a private hospital in Shuklaganj and later shifted to Lala Lajpat Rai Hospital in Kanpur as his condition worsened, where doctors declared him dead.
Another umpire and several players also sustained bee stings during the incident.
Confirming the tragedy, S N Singh, president of the Kanpur Cricket Association, expressed deep sorrow over Gupta’s death, stating that the association stands firmly with the bereaved family in this difficult time. (Agencies)
