Killer hornets are terrorizing China; brutal swarm attacks leading to 19 deaths

Killer hornets are terrorizing China; brutal swarm attacks leading to 19 deaths and 583 severely injured victims have been reported in China’s central Shaanxi province.

According to the Christian Post, at least 19 people have been killed by killer hornets, and nearly all of the deceased victims were stung to death by the hornets including its world’s largest species, Vespa mandarinia.

The city government of Ankang – identified as the epicenter of the brutal attacks – the fatal incidents took place in the last three months.

Aside from the documented deaths, reports also pointed out that there have been about 600 seriously injured victims, with a total of 583 reportedly stung in the said area since July 1.

Officials in Ankang said about 70 victims are still recovering in the hospitals as of late.

The Asian giant hornet, commonly known as yak-killer hornet, can grow to be more than 2 inches in length. It has a quarter-inch-long (6 millimeters) stinger which it utilizes in delivering its venomous neurotoxin to its victims.

Yahoo! News reported that the said giant hornet is not only the world’s largest but is also famously known for its evil reputation of biting the heads off of honeybees to steal honey and bee larvae. The yak-killer hornet is capable of flying up to 62 miles (100 kilometers) in just a single day at a speed of 25 mph (40 km/h).