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Two million bees escaped after a truck transporting their hives overturned and released the insects in Texas on Sunday.
The accident happened near the town of Mauriceville in the east of the state, perhaps not surprisingly causing local emergency officials to warn residents near the mishap to stay indoors.
“Everyone that lives in the [affected] area please remain indoors. An 18 wheeler carrying beehives has turned over and there is a heavy presence of bees in the area,” the local Orange county emergency services said in a statement.
Photos posted online of the accident showed beekeepers dressed in white protective clothing working amid huge clouds of bees, including vast numbers that were clinging to nearby trees.
The US’s busy roads often see unusual loads involved in accidents. Earlier in June, a truck in Tennessee hauling fireworks caught fire, and its load triggered a spectacular impromptu display.
In March, 40,000lb of extra-firm tofu was spilled in Missouri. And in August, firefighters responded to a crash in which a truck carrying a huge load of ribeye steaks burst into flames.
The Texas bee episode was dealt with fairly quickly. Orange county emergency services posted an update later on Sunday saying that the bees were being transferred to local beekeepers. “Crews are continuing to safely transfer the hives on to transport trucks, which will be hauled to a local honey farm,” it said.
It added: “Residents in the immediate area are still encouraged to use caution.”
