On the Qingshui Mountain Trail in Taroko National Park, Hualien, a hornet attack was reported yesterday. A 53-year-old woman surnamed Ye and a 47-year-old man surnamed Lin were allegedly swarmed by disturbed hornets. Both sustained multiple stings and collapsed on the forest trail, with hornets still circling overhead. After receiving a report from other hikers, police and firefighters rushed up the mountain overnight to provide emergency aid. Fortunately, both victims were stable, and they were airlifted down the mountain by helicopter this morning.
The Hualien County Fire Bureau received a report at around 5 p.m. yesterday from a hiker surnamed Lin, who said that among a group of 12 hikers trekking along the Qingshui Mountain Trail toward Qingshui Mountain, one person was suddenly attacked by a nest of hornets. One hiker was stung and fell unconscious, while hornets hovered above the victim. The other hikers dared not approach and urgently called for help.
After receiving the report, police and firefighters, together with rangers from Taroko National Park Headquarters and officers from the 9th Brigade of the Pingtung Forest District Office, formed a rescue team to hike up the mountain. However, due to the rugged terrain and poor visibility at night, it took them over six hours to reach the hikers. Among the two injured victims, the woman surnamed Ye (53) had stings on her head, while the man surnamed Lin (47) had stings on his shoulder and buttocks and felt unwell, though his life was not in danger. The helicopter airlifted the patients from Datong Tribe early this morning and transported them to Cijin Hospital in Hualien for treatment.
Zhang Dengwen, deputy director of Taroko National Park Management Office, pointed out that hikers should be alert for signs of hornet nests along the trails. Hornets are highly sensitive to sound and smell, so it’s important to stay quiet during forest activities and avoid wearing perfume to prevent attracting them. If attacked by hornets, immediately cover your head with clothing and escape downwind, then call for help. For pain from stings, rinse the wound with water—do not use unverified remedies such as applying urine.
(China Times)