Pune: In a startling incident on Sunday (October 13), a bee attack near the Balekilla area of Rajgad Fort injured 25 to 30 tourists, while three tourists from Mumbai narrowly escaped severe harm due to timely help from a group of visitors from Baramati.
The incident took place around 11 a.m. when the fort was bustling with tourists enjoying the extended holiday weekend. A disturbed bee hive near the Balekilla caused bees to swarm the visitors, creating panic and chaos.
Many tourists fled, while others jumped into Padmavati Lake in an attempt to avoid the stings. Though most tourists sustained only minor injuries, the situation worsened for Pratham Ahire, a 24-year-old tourist from Andheri West, Mumbai.
Ahire, who had been stung multiple times, tried to descend the fort in distress but stumbled several times due to dizziness and nausea.
Fortunately, a group of Baramati tourists – Ranjeet Bichkule, Maruti Waghmare, Yogesh Malgunde, Aniket Malgunde, and Swapnil Kharat – witnessed his plight and chose to forgo their own plans to assist him. They removed bee stingers from Ahire’s body, gave him water, and escorted him down the fort safely.
Once they reached the base, Ahire was rushed to a private hospital in Sakhar village, with help from local school teacher Santosh Uttarkar.
Ahire later informed the rescuers that two other members of his group, Vishal Gaikwad and Shubham Khare, had jumped into the bushes to escape the bees.
Baramati tourists promptly contacted authorities, and the Archaeological Department’s staff, Bapu Sable and Vishal Pilavare, coordinated with local police to send help. With the assistance of police officer Shantaram alias Mangesh Bhosale, the two stranded tourists were rescued from the Chor Darwaza valley.
Speaking about the incident, Ranjeet Bichkule expressed relief and pride in saving a fellow visitor’s life, but also emphasized the need for better precautions at the fort to avoid such incidents in the future.
Bapu Sable from the Archaeological Department urged tourists to avoid wearing perfumes or using scented products, as previous bee attacks at the fort have been triggered by smoke.
