Two children died after being attacked by a swarm of hornets in Pabna’s Santhia upazila, following an incident in which they reportedly poked a hornet nest with a piece of jute stick.
The victims were identified as three-year-old Rohan Hossain and four-year-old Arafat Hossain, both residents of Goyeshbari village in the Bhalobaria union of Santhia. They were attacked on Tuesday afternoon while playing outside their homes and later died while undergoing treatment at Pabna General Hospital on Wednesday afternoon.
According to relatives and local residents, Rohan, son of Nayan Hossain, and Arafat, son of Sujon Hossain, were playing near their homes when they noticed a hornet nest. Out of curiosity, the children approached the nest and poked it with a jute stick.
The disturbance reportedly caused a swarm of hornets to emerge from the nest and attack the children. They were stung repeatedly and became seriously ill.
Hearing the children’s cries, family members rushed to the scene and rescued them. They were taken to Pabna General Hospital for treatment, where doctors attended to them. Despite receiving treatment, both children died on Wednesday afternoon as their conditions deteriorated.
News of the deaths spread quickly through Goyeshbari village, leaving the two families and local residents in shock. The sudden deaths of the young children have caused deep grief in the community.
Hornet nests can sometimes be found around trees, bushes, abandoned structures and other relatively quiet areas, particularly in rural surroundings. Approaching or disturbing such nests can provoke defensive attacks, potentially putting people at serious risk.
Local residents have urged parents to keep children away from visible hornet nests and to discourage them from touching or striking them out of curiosity. If a nest is found near a home or other frequently used area, people should avoid approaching it and seek appropriate assistance rather than attempting to remove it themselves.
The incident has also prompted renewed calls for greater supervision of young children while they are playing outdoors, particularly in areas where insects and other potential hazards may be present.
Athikula police station officer-in-charge Mojibur Rahman described the incident as tragic and urged parents to remain more vigilant about their children’s safety. He particularly stressed the need for closer supervision when children are playing outside.
