Boy (6) hospitalised after Oshikoto school bee attack

Six-year-old Lionel Hamwele has not opened his eyes since a swarm of bees attacked learners and teachers at Ethikilo Primary School in the Oshikoto region on Monday, leaving him in hospital as his family pray for his recovery.

When Namibian Sun visited Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital on Wednesday, the Grade 1 learner lay quietly in his hospital bed, his face severely swollen.

Too weak and uncomfortable to speak, he turned away when his name was called.

Beside him sat his mother, Priskila Lukas, gently rubbing ice across his face to help ease the pain and reduce the swelling.

“The nurses told me he will be fine,” she said. “I just want him to open his eyes again.”

Unrecognisable

The attack unfolded shortly before midday on Monday when a swarm of bees descended on the school grounds. While several people were reportedly stung, Lionel sustained the most serious injuries.

“I was informed around 11:00 that my child had been attacked by bees at school,” said David Hamwele, Lionel's father.

Hamwele said the school's principal, who described the attack as "bad", subsequently assisted with funds to take Lionel to Onandjokwe for further treatment.

“When I arrived at the hospital, my heart skipped a beat because I did not recognise my child,” Hamwele said, struggling to contain his emotions. “I even cried.”

He said the swelling was so severe that his son’s face had become unrecognisable.

“His face is swollen. His hands and feet are swollen as well. I was informed that the bees had been at the school for some time, but I do not know what caused them to attack or why they were not removed earlier,” he said.

Lukas informed Namibian Sun on Thursday that Lionel woke up feeling better but said his eyes still remain swollen shut.

She said as parents, their only hope is that each passing day brings relief and that their son will soon be able to open his eyes again and smile.

Risk awareness

The incident has raised questions among parents about safety measures at the school and whether the bee colony posed a known risk before the attack occurred.

On Wednesday, concerned parents gathered at the school for a meeting.

Officials from the environment ministry have since removed the bees, clearing the way for learners to return to class on Thursday.

The school's principal declined to comment and referred all media inquiries to the education ministry’s head office in Windhoek.

Meanwhile, Oshikoto education director Hilma Nuunyango-George told Namibian Sun on Thursday that she had not been informed of the incident.

By the time of going to print, no further response had been received from her office.