On the evening of April 27, two men in Greenlee County, Arizona, were engulfed by a massive, aggressive swarm of bees described as a "moving black cloud." Firefighters reported the insects penetrated protective gear, and with no ambulances available the victims were transported to a nearby hospital in a firetruck. Both men were later released, and officials—unable to locate a hive—said the swarm was likely migrating. The incident follows an April 4 attack in Phoenix in which a hiker was stung more than 100 times.
Two Men Hospitalized After 'Moving Black Cloud' of Bees Covers Them Head to Toe in Arizona
Stock photo of a large swam of beesCredit: Getty
Two men in eastern Arizona were hospitalized after a massive, aggressive swarm of bees engulfed them on the evening of April 27, authorities said.
Rescue and Response
Shortly before 7 p.m. local time, Greenlee County Sheriff's deputies and personnel from Clifton Fire responded after witnesses reported a "moving black cloud of hundreds of thousands of angry bees," the Eastern Arizona Courier reported. Deputies later described both victims as being "completely covered head to toe in bees."
Firefighters said the swarm was so aggressive that the insects were able to penetrate protective clothing and sting some crew members on the head. After rescuers loaded one man into a vehicle, they found the second seated near the roadway, drooling and having difficulty speaking.
Transport and Outcome
Because no ambulances were available at the time, Clifton Fire personnel transported both men to a nearby hospital in a firetruck, removing bees from their bodies during the trip. According to the Eastern Arizona Courier, both men were later released from the hospital.
Likely Migrating Swarm
An official identified as Valera told reporters that responders were unable to locate a nearby hive the following day, which led authorities to conclude the insects were likely part of a migrating swarm rather than a stationary colony.
Deputies described the scene as a rapidly traveling mass of bees — a "moving black cloud" that posed an immediate danger to anyone in its path.
Related Incident
This episode follows a similar event on April 4, when a hiker near Phoenix was stung more than 100 times and required a helicopter hoist for evacuation; that person was flown to a hospital in critical condition, the Phoenix Fire Department said.
The Clifton Fire Protection District did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment. Sources: Eastern Arizona Courier, People.
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