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An older man is dead tonight after he was attacked by a swarm of Africanized bees in Western Belize this morning. Reports are that 77 year old Ramon Mendez was among a group of about five men who were working on his farm on the Arenal Road this morning. For those who don’t know, that road leads west out of Benque, and goes to the border with Arenal/Guatemala.

Around 9:00, the group was reportedly cutting firewood when they saw a swarm of bees fly over. They continued and then reported seeing a few isolated bees circling. Still, they continued, until – reports say - a massive swarm descended on them.

All of them were attacked but 20 year old Saulo Morales and his 77 year old neighbour Ramon Mendez were the most seriously injured. One of the men who was not as badly inured managed to drive them to the San Ignacio Hospital. Ramon Mendez died there this afternoon at around three. The body will be given to the family tomorrow for burial on Thursday.

It is of note that in October, 2009 Africanized bees attacked and killed another 77 year old farmer that was 77 year old Domingo Mendoza. At the time that senior citizen was on his farm spraying insecticide.