Teacher and beekeeper dies after bee sting in Kalar

KALAR — A man died early Monday after being stung by a bee while working with his beehives in the Garmian area of Sulaymaniyah governorate, according to local health officials, though forensic tests are still needed to confirm the cause of death.

The victim, Najm Sabir, an Arabic language teacher born in 1982, had worked in beekeeping for about 15 years alongside his teaching career. Rafiq Qadir, director of Shahid Hajar Emergency Hospital in Kalar, told 964media that Sabir “was already dead when he was brought to the hospital,” with the body referred to the forensic medicine department. Abdulrahman Jamal, head of Kalar’s forensic medicine department, said blood samples had been taken and sent to Sulaymaniyah for examination.

A friend and colleague who was present, Garmian Karim, said the incident occurred late Sunday night in Barlut village, where the two had moved their beehives earlier in the evening. “Around 11 p.m. we secured the beehives and were finishing our work when he told me, ‘a bee has stung me, help me,'” Karim said. He said Sabir’s condition deteriorated rapidly. “I poured water on his face, and he said, ‘water is not helping me.’ He got into the car by himself, but within three to four minutes he became completely distressed.”

Karim said Sabir had previously suffered severe reactions to bee stings on three occasions and had experienced breathing difficulties. A doctor had advised him to stop beekeeping and avoid exposure to smoke, dust and bees. According to Karim, Sabir had intended to quit the profession this year.