Veteran Umpire Manik Gupta Dies in Bee Attack

A routine under-13 cricket league match in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao district turned tragic after a swarm of bees attacked players and officials, leading to the death of veteran umpire Manik Gupta. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning at Rahul Sapru Ground in the Gangaghat Kotwali area, where young cricketers from Kanpur and Lucknow had gathered for a scheduled fixture.

Panic gripped the ground as a massive swarm descended, stinging dozens of people and disrupting the match within minutes.

Swarm Attacks During Morning Match

According to eyewitnesses, a large beehive was located on a banyan tree adjoining the boundary wall of the ground. Bees had reportedly been hovering since early morning. The first instance of stings occurred around 7 a.m., followed by another round at approximately 8 a.m.

At around 8:30 a.m., the situation escalated when a full swarm attacked players, umpires and ground staff. For nearly 15 minutes, chaos prevailed as around 40 to 45 individuals attempted to escape the attack. In total, 40 to 50 people were stung, with at least 10 requiring hospitalisation.

Umpire Collapses Amid Chaos

Sixty-five-year-old Manik Gupta, a resident of Kanpur and a seasoned umpire associated with the Kanpur Cricket Association for nearly three decades, was among those targeted. Eyewitnesses stated that as the swarm intensified, Gupta tried to flee but stumbled and fell.

Over 50 bees reportedly surrounded him, stinging him repeatedly for several minutes. Gupta, who was said to be a heart patient, began losing consciousness as his condition deteriorated rapidly. He was rushed to a private nursing facility and later referred to Lala Lajpat Rai Hospital, commonly known as Hallet Hospital, in Kanpur. However, he succumbed while being transported and was declared dead on arrival.

Medical Response and Investigation

Family members and local cricket officials alleged that multiple hospitals initially declined admission due to the severity of his condition. The exact cause of the swarm’s aggression remains unclear. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the hive was disturbed by a cricket ball or any other external factor.

Important Facts for Exams

• Unnao district is located in central Uttar Pradesh between Kanpur and Lucknow.
• Bee attacks can trigger anaphylactic shock, especially in elderly or cardiac patients.
• Lala Lajpat Rai Hospital in Kanpur is a major government medical facility in the region.
• Under-13 cricket leagues are part of grassroots talent development in India.

Safety Concerns at Public Grounds

The incident has raised questions about safety inspections at public sporting venues, particularly regarding environmental hazards such as unmanaged beehives. Local authorities are expected to assess preventive measures to avoid similar tragedies during community sporting events.