Two children have died after being attacked by hornets in Santhia upazila of Pabna, after reportedly disturbing a hornet nest while playing near their homes.
The victims were identified as three-year-old Rohan Hossain and four-year-old Arafat Hossain. Both were residents of Goyeshbari village in Bhalobaria union. They were attacked on Tuesday afternoon and taken to Pabna General Hospital after becoming seriously ill. Despite treatment, both children died there on Wednesday afternoon.
Rohan was the son of Nayan Hossain, while Arafat was the son of Sujon Hossain. Relatives and local residents said the children had been playing outside their homes when they noticed a hornet nest nearby.
According to them, the children approached the nest out of curiosity and poked it with a jute stick. The disturbance caused a swarm of hornets to emerge from the nest and attack them. The children were stung repeatedly and quickly became seriously unwell.
Their cries alerted family members, who rushed to the scene and rescued them. The two children were then taken to Pabna General Hospital, where they received medical treatment. Their condition subsequently deteriorated, and both died while receiving treatment on Wednesday afternoon.
The deaths sent shockwaves through Goyeshbari village. Relatives and neighbours gathered as news of the incident spread, while the two families were left grieving the sudden loss of their young children.
Local residents said hornet nests can sometimes be found around trees, bushes, abandoned structures and other quiet areas in rural communities. Children may be drawn to such nests out of curiosity, but disturbing them can provoke an aggressive response from the insects.
Residents have therefore urged parents to keep young children away from any hornet nests they encounter. They also advised people not to poke, strike or otherwise disturb a nest. Maintaining a safe distance can help reduce the risk of an attack, particularly in areas where children regularly play.
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 stressed the need for closer supervision when children are playing outdoors, particularly around places where such hazards may be present.
