Overview
- An 18-wheeler hauling roughly 50,000 pounds of beehives overturned on a turn in Mauriceville, Texas, releasing an estimated two million bees on Sunday.
- Orange County Emergency Services District 4 warned nearby residents to stay indoors while crews and beekeepers worked on the scene.
- Queen Bee Supply LLC mobilized a coalition of commercial operators and backyard beekeepers and posted photos showing volunteers corralling swarms around the overturned truck.
- Recovery teams have been moving intact hives onto other transport vehicles and trying to recapture swarms, and operations remained active as crews worked to contain the insects.
- No major injuries have been reported; the truck driver was unhurt and a local news photographer suffered a sting, and the incident highlights risks tied to routine large-scale hive transport for pollination and honey work.