Thousands of bees swarmed the campus of Chaudhary Charan Singh University (CCS University) in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, over the weekend, injuring more than 100 people and leading to widespread panic among students and staff. The alarming incident, which has drawn attention to safety concerns on campus, resulted in one tragic death and numerous injuries requiring hospital treatment.
The chaos unfolded across three days, beginning February 21, 2025, when the first cases of bee stings were reported. A retired Junior Engineer, Dharmveer Sharma, died after being overwhelmed by the aggressive insects. Witnesses recalled the horrifying scene as students rushed to escape the onslaught, leading to stampedes on campus.
Students described the atmosphere as tense and fearful. Ankit Chaudhary, student leader at CCS University, said, “I couldn’t leave my hostel because of the bees.” Many stayed indoors, avoiding classes and activities as the threat of bee attacks lingered.
According to reports, the Forest Department was summoned to the scene, but its personnel initially hesitated to engage with the swarm. Instead, university officials took decisive action. Registrar Dheerendra Verma called for private teams to safely remove multiple bee colonies inhabiting the campus. Over the weekend, the university administration, along with student leaders, actively worked to eliminate the threat posed by the bees.
On Sunday, efforts intensified as teams employed beeswax removal techniques. They used JCB machinery to dismantle several nests, primarily concentrated around the main entrance and near the engineering college. After successful removal operations, Verma stated, “We gathered a team to address the situation without harming the bees. Our goal was to return to normalcy.”
The attacks were exacerbated by factors such as wild birds. A hawk's behavior—mysteriously attacking the bees—has been cited as one possible trigger for the swarm's aggression. Videos of the incident revealed the eagle swooping down on the hives, provoking the bees and igniting the frenzy. After each attack, students found refuge indoors, wondering when they could safely re-enter their classes.
More than 200 individuals reported bee stings, with many needing to visit hospitals for treatment. The alarming incidents led the university administration not only to handle the immediate crisis but also to review their overall safety protocols. Many student voices called for stronger measures against wildlife interference and more control over bee populations on campus.
Prior to the bee incidents at CCS University, similar alarming occurrences had been reported elsewhere, such as when bee truck accidents ignited fears of disturbances. Memories of past incidents returned as students witnessed the chaos of bee attacks, which were reminiscent of those previous events.
Despite the intensity of the situation, students showed remarkable solidarity during chaotic times. Student organizations quickly mobilized to provide assistance to those injured. Meanwhile, others expressed frustration at the lack of immediate police response. One affected student reported being told by officers to stay away from the chaos, leaving them vulnerable to the swarm.
Following the removal of the nests, students experienced momentary relief. “Now we can breathe again,” said one relieved student. “We were terrified…” Thankfully, with the nests removed, the university declared the campus now secure and free of any immediate bee threats.
Looking to the future, university officials indicate they will be enacting new policies to prevent similar incidents. Registrar Verma mentioned plans to collaborate with wildlife specialists to implement safer methods for managing bee colonies without jeopardizing natural habitats.
While the situation may have calmed for now, the recent terror has left students and staff at CCS University very much impacted by their harrowing experiences. It remains to be seen how the university will address underlying issues related to campus safety and environmental interactions.