Mardi worker killed by bee swarm while collecting honey at farm in Kemaman

A Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute staff member died after being stung by a swarm of bees while collecting honey at the agency’s farm in Ayer Putih yesterday. — AFP pic

First Published: Sunday, 25 Oct 2026 7:37 PM MYT

CHUKAI, Oct 25 — A Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) staff member died after being stung by a swarm of bees while collecting honey at the agency’s farm in Ayer Putih near here yesterday.

Kemaman police chief Supt Mohd Razi Rosli said the incident occurred at 9.50am when the victim, Hafizul Mat, 40, a general worker, was at MARDI’s Kemaman branch at Kilometer 18 of Jalan Ayer Putih with a colleague.

“The victim’s 44-year-old colleague had advised him against collecting the honey because the beehive was on a dry tree about three metres tall, but the victim insisted on proceeding.

“The victim asked his colleague to wait about 50 metres from the beehive before climbing the tree to collect the honey, but he was attacked by a swarm of bees,” he said in a statement today.

Mohd Razi said that while in the tree, the victim shouted at his colleague to run as the bees swarmed him. He then climbed down and jumped into a nearby pool of water to avoid being stung.

Mohd Razi said the victim later complained of pain in his arms and legs from the stings before getting out of the pool and collapsing unconscious with convulsions.

“The victim’s colleague then sought help from two other co-workers before calling an ambulance. The victim was taken to Kemaman Hospital for further treatment,” he said.

However, Mohd Razi said the hospital confirmed that the victim died while receiving treatment at 6.42pm. — Bernama