Kanpur, May 26 -- A tranquil religious gathering turned chaotic at Ram Manohar Lohia Park, popularly known as Company Garden, in Etawah, on Monday, when a swarm of bees descended on devotees performing Vat Amavasya rituals, injuring at least 55 people.

The incident occurred around 2 pm as over 250 devotees, mostly married women, congregated under a sprawling banyan tree for Savitri puja.

Chief medical superintendent, Etawah, Dr Paritosh Shukla, said around 40 patients had to be treated in the emergency ward of the district hospital. "Two or three persons may need hospitalisation; the last patient of bee attack came in at around 4 pm," he said.

Eyewitnesses reported that the bees, disturbed by the smoke from ritual fires and incense sti...