Woman attacked by wasps runs screaming to hospital

By Suranga Rajanayake - Gampola

A woman attacked by wasps ran screaming to the Udagama Rural Hospital in Atabage, Gampola. 

The wasps that followed her launched a severe attack on the people gathered at a medical clinic and the doctor conducting it, resulting in eleven individuals being admitted to the Gampola Teaching Hospital.

The attack injured four hospital staff members, eight women, three men and the doctor.

Villagers reported that a hawk had disturbed a wasp hive on a tree in the Kalawelgolla area in Atabage.

The injured woman passing by was stung and, in her panic, ran to the hospital seeking refuge.

At that time, a clinic was underway, with many people present. As the screaming woman approached the group, the wasps followed and attacked everyone.

In an attempt to escape, people closed the hospital's windows and doors and lit fires to ward off the wasps. Later, two ambulances were summoned, and the severely injured were transported to the Gampola Hospital.

Nearby shopkeepers also faced threats from the wasps, leading them to shut their shops and use smoke for protection.