COCOA BEACH, Fla., Aug. 26 (UPI) -- Honeybees swarmed and stung many children and followed them into the cafeteria and a classroom at a Cocoa Beach, Fla., school, authorities said.
During lunch recess at Our Saviour Catholic School Thursday a nest of honeybees in a nearby tree was disturbed and bees stung 38 children, Florida Today reported.
The bees swirled around the schoolyard in 30 mph winds from Hurricane Irene, then pursued their victims into the building.
City and county rescue personnel arrived and hurried to ensure that none of the victims were suffering allergic reactions.
"Some of the students still had bees in their clothing when they came inside," said G.C. Wine of the Cocoa Beach Fire Department.
"They came out of the hive and attacked [the firefighters] ... It's a very aggressive hive."
Officials said the insects' aggressive behavior suggested they were "Africanized" honeybees, but that had not been confirmed.
