250 million bees released in US accident, search for queens underway

In the northwest of the United States, millions of bees were released after a truck accident. Local police have warned residents about the bees and urged people to avoid the area with the swarms.

The accident occurred in Washington state in the far northwest of the country. A trailer carrying beehives veered off the road for unknown reasons. The truck driver escaped unharmed.

According to the sheriff of Whatcom County, 250 million bees were released. Roads in the region, which lies near the Canadian border and just 48 kilometers from Vancouver, have been closed. Emergency services are working with beekeepers to relocate the hives and find a queen.

When the queen is placed back in the hive, the bees will automatically follow her back. The queen emits pheromones that attract the bees. Each bee colony has one queen. Without a queen, the colony cannot survive.