Researchers hurt, 4 critical in bee attack in Sighanpur cave

Raipur: A five-member team of university researchers studying prehistoric rock paintings came under a sudden bee attack on Friday inside the famous Singhanpur caves in Raigarh district, leaving four people critically injured.

The incident took place in Bhupdevpur area near the Singhanpur cave site, located around 18km from Raigarh district headquarters.

According to officials, the research team from a university in Raipur, comprising three women and two men, had gone to inspect the ancient cave paintings when a swarm of bees suddenly attacked them inside the cave premises.

As the team tried to flee through the hill terrain, several members sustained multiple bee stings. A forest department staffer who joined the rescue operation was also reportedly injured. Forest officials and Dial 112 teams rushed to the spot and carried the injured down the difficult hill route on stretchers before shifting them to a private hospital.

Hospital management identified the injured as Brahmanand Dhritlahare (27), Smriddhi (69), Bhagyashree (30), Suman (35), Niharika (36) and Giteshwar. Four of them were stated to be in serious condition.

Singhanpur caves are known for their prehistoric rock art and are considered one of the most important archaeological sites in Chhattisgarh.