KANPUR, Feb. 26 -- A swarm of bees attacked devotees at the Sangmaheshwar Temple in Hamirpur on Wednesday afternoon, leaving more than 50 people injured and triggering panic in the area.

Several devotees, including middle-aged men, jumped into a nearby canal to escape as chaos unfolded around noon, said an eyewitness.

The incident occurred during a special prayer service for Maha Shivaratri. Station house officer (SHO) Kotwali Rakesh Kumar stated that the afternoon heat, combined with the smoke from the ritual, may have provoked the bees.

Local residents and police rushed to assist the victims, while ambulances transported the injured to medical facilities.

Dr CP Gupta administered initial medical aid to several injured individuals be...