One pupil has died and three others are in critical condition following a bee attack at Anloga Evangelical Presbyterian (EP) Basic School in the Volta Region on Wednesday, December 17.
The incident occurred when students playing football accidentally disturbed a bee nest after a ball became stuck in a tree. A stone thrown to retrieve the ball reportedly triggered a swarm of bees, which invaded the school compound and attacked pupils and teachers.
Headteacher of the school, Mr Thywill Deynu, said several students were affected, with kindergarten pupils among the most vulnerable as they were unable to escape the swarm. Four pupils sustained critical injuries and were rushed to the Keta Municipal Hospital, where a seven-year-old girl was pronounced dead on arrival.
Mr Deynu described the incident as devastating and expressed deep sorrow over the loss. He commended teachers for their swift response, which helped save many of the pupils. He added that the deceased child was unable to flee the scene and suffered severe injuries that led to her death.
Fire Service personnel from the Anloga District were alerted and arrived promptly to control the swarm and secure the area. The school, which has a population of over 400 pupils, was preparing to close for the Christmas vacation scheduled to begin on Thursday, December 18.
The body of the deceased pupil has been deposited at the Keta Municipal Hospital mortuary for autopsy, while the injured pupils, all under nine years old, remain under medical care. Their conditions are being closely monitored by health officials.
Parents, teachers, and pupils have expressed deep shock over the incident and have called on authorities to urgently address the issue of bee infestations in school environments. The parents of the deceased have appealed for privacy as they mourn their loss.