500,000 Bees Killed in Dutch Fire Incident.
A beekeeper from the Netherlands has voiced shock after his 10 beehives were set ablaze in a park in the central city of Almere, resulting in the death of an estimated 500,000 bees.
The beekeeper stated that each hive contained a population of 40-60,000 bees, and the idea that anyone could kill them was devastating.
"It is deeply painful that my 10 hives have perished," he informed regional media.
Law enforcement in Almere, located to the east of Amsterdam, have appealed for observers after the arson attack on Tuesday night in the city's picturesque Beatrixpark. They shared images of the blaze on social media.
The Netherlands authorities reports that more than half of the country's 360 types of bee are at risk of dying out, as the number of bees decreases around the world.
The beekeeper explained that police had told him an flammable substance had been used to ignite the hives, which were placed on wooden platforms in a forested area of the garden.
Almost none of the insects survived and he said that he had doubt the arsonist would be apprehended.
Fellow beekeeper a local beekeeper told national radio that she had three bee colonies and wanted to give him one of them.
For the beekeeper, who looked after the colonies for about nine years, the incident means building a fresh hive in the area from scratch.
But he insists he will continue his efforts.
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