14 Million Bees Escape After Truck Crash in Washington

Millions of Bees Escape After Truck Overturns in Washington A tractor-trailer carrying an estimated 70,000 pounds of beehives overturned Friday in northern Washington state, leading to the release of approximately 14 million bees. The incident, which occurred near the Canadian border, caused a significant disruption and raised concerns about public safety. "Approximately 14 million honeybees, not 250 million, were involved in Friday's rollover crash," stated a local sheriff, correcting an initial report. The correction highlights the challenges in assessing the scale of such an event quickly and accurately. Images from the scene show the overturned trailer surrounded by a massive swarm of bees. Two dozen beekeepers rushed to the scene to assist in containing the bees and recovering the hives. Their swift action likely prevented a more serious situation. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safe transportation of pollinators and the potential consequences of accidents involving large numbers of bees.