Hornet attack in Sungei Buloh leads to 5 people being taken to hospital; area cordoned off

SINGAPORE – An area inside the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve has been cordoned off from the public, following a hornet attack on July 14 that led to five people being taken to hospital.

In response to The Straits Times’ queries on July 15, Mr Lim Liang Jim, the National Parks Board (NParks) group director of conservation, said that the agency will survey the site of the incident – along a migratory bird trail near Platform 1 – for the presence of any hornet’s nests.

Mr Lim added that NParks officers had assisted the affected visitors before they were taken to the hospital for further medical treatment.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force said it received a call for assistance at the Sungei Buloh reserve at 4.55pm on July 14.

Four people were taken to Woodlands Health Campus and one person was taken to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, it added.

In a post uploaded onto Chinese social media site Xiaohongshu, a passer-by, who said that he often visits the wetland reserve, said he saw four ambulances and a row of people applying ice packs on their heads.

The user said that he was informed by a relative of one of the affected visitors that they had been “stung by bees”.

Mr Leslie Chong, sales director of System Pest Control Services, told ST that hornets attack when they are provoked or when people are too close to their nest, causing the hornets to feel threatened.

He added that hornets can be found anywhere, usually in trees, roof structures or buildings.

“To dispose of (the nest), we will first wear our personal protective equipment to make sure we’re covered properly before we spray the nest with aerosol pesticide to kill the flying hornets hovering around the nest,” said Mr Chong.

“Once most of the hornets are killed, we remove the nest. Depending on the size and height of the nest, it can take up to two hours to get rid of it.”

Mr Lim said that hornets are large-bodied wasps that live in large colonies that build their nests using plant fibres and, like honey bees, will “readily sting” to defend their hives.

In natural environments, hornets may build their hives on trees, within low-lying shrubs, and even on the ground, he added.

Mr Lim said that those who encounter hornets should remain as calm as possible, and refrain from hitting the insects.

If a hornet is resting on a part of their body, they should calmly move it or gently brush it off, and it will fly away peacefully.

“If members of the public have been stung by a hornet, they should wash the wound with soap and water, and apply an ice pack,” said Mr Lim.

“They should seek immediate medical attention if allergic reactions such as rashes, swelling or breathlessness occur.”