At least 200 people from the ancient Mang'anja tribe in Chikwawa village, Malawi, were reportedly attacked by a swarm of bees while praying for rain, resulting in seven of them being admitted to a local hospital.

According to Nyasa Times, the group had gathered together at a shrine in Matengambili forest in order to offer a sacrifice to their god, mbona, so that they could receive rains - in view of the prolonged dry spell.

The report said that in the olden days, when elders gave the sacrifice at mbona shrines, rain fell "immediately in abundance".

"We wanted to ask favours from mbona to give us rain, lest we perish. As we were giving the sacrifice, a swarm of bees came and bit most of the people who were there, scattering all of us in different directions for cover," the village headman said.

MANA Online reported that at least seven people were injured and were rushed to hospital.

Source: News24