Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Firefighters in Chetumal have responded to 178 incidents involving Africanized bees so far this year, a sharp increase driven by hot and dry weather, officials said Tuesday.
Rodolfo Caamal, director of the Chetumal Fire Department, said the number of emergencies has risen about 70% compared to previous periods. He attributed the surge to climatic conditions that favor bee activity, raising risks for residents.
The incidents range from swarms in residential areas to direct attacks on people and animals, requiring immediate emergency response to prevent serious harm, Caamal said.
One recent case occurred at Plaza Las Americas shopping center, where a swarm forced the closure of a main entrance for more than 48 hours. At least five people were reported injured by stings, though officials believe the number could be higher.
Caamal urged residents to take precautions, avoid disturbing hives, and report any swarm sightings to emergency services immediately. He warned against attempting to remove hives on their own, noting that Africanized bees are highly defensive.
Authorities said they will continue prevention and response operations across the city and strengthen public information campaigns to reduce risks.
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