A swarm of killer bees killed one tourist and injured at least seven others while they were visiting an avery in India.

Sandeep Purohit, 44, and his family were strolling through the Karnala Bird Sanctuary when they were attacked by the hive of territorial insects in Maharashtra state on the morning of February 15.

Frantic tourists were sent fleeing as the bees divebombed them. In the chaos, Sandeep was said to have tripped and struck his head on the ground, knocking him out.

Officials said they received a distress call at around 11 am. However, it took rescuers 30 minutes to reach the scene, which was at the summit of the Karnala Fort. They found the tourists cowering on the floor with the cloud of bees hovering over them.

Sandeep and the other visitors, including his son and wife, were rushed to a hospital, but he was declared dead on arrival.

Dr. Ashok Gite, superintendent of the Panvel Sub-district Hospital, said: 'In multiple sting trauma, sometimes an allergic reaction can lead to cardiac arrest. Purohit had some minor abrasions on the forehead.

'The opinion is kept reserved as of now and the cause of death can be confirmed only after histopathology examination for which the samples are being sent to Sion Hospital.'

Senior Police Inspector Gajanan Ghadge said an investigation was underway to find what had triggered the fatal bee attack.

He said: 'The bees usually attack only when someone does something to them. We are investigating what has gone wrong. An accidental death report has been filed.'

In a similar nightmare bee swarm attack, a boy was peppered with painful stings while practising karate at his school in Telangana state.

The youngster was training in a courtyard when a swarm of angry bees descended on him in Manthani town, on February 11.

Villagers hearing the boy's cries came to his rescue but were also stung by the angry hive.

Officials said 30 people, including the boy and several passers-by were wounded in the bee rampage.

Footage shows the pupil crying out in pain as medics removed the bee stingers painfully embedded in his neck. He and the other injured individuals were being treated at a government hospital.