(COLOMBO) – Thirty persons, including 27 students attending an extracurricular boxing class in Mawanella, Sri Lanka were attacked by wasps, a senior hospital said on Saturday.
Mawanella in the island’s central province is situated some 96 kilometres away from the commercial capital of Colombo.
The attack occurred near an abandoned ten-storey building infested with multiple wasps’ nests, a recurring hazard that has plagued the vicinity for some time.
Locals have repeatedly alerted authorities to the presence of these nests, expressing concerns over the safety of residents and visitors to Mawanella. However, no action has been taken by authorities to address the issue, residents said.
The incident occurred during an additional boxing session held near the building, where the students, accompanied by three parents, fell victim to a swarm of wasps.
Following the attack, all 27 children, accompanied by the three parents, were rushed to the Mawanella Hospital and are currently receiving treatment. All the affected children are under the age of 15.
