Two Children Killed by Hornet Swarm in Rural Yunnan Ignite Outcry Over Child Safety and Unregulated Insect Farming
A quiet pine forest on the outskirts of Lawan Village, in Fengtun Town of Mouding County, Chuxiong, Yunnan Province, became the scene of a tragedy that has stunned China’s internet and raised urgent questions about rural safety and animal‑keeping regulations. On the afternoon of 23 July 2024, two young children – a seven‑year‑old boy known locally as Runrun and his two‑year‑old sister Yaya – were playing among the trees when a swarm of black‑breasted hornets (墨胸胡蜂) descended on them. Within minutes, the siblings were covered in stings: Yaya suffered more than 700 puncture wounds and died at the site, while Runrun endured over 300 wounds and was rushed to the nearest hospital. He survived the initial emergency care but, despite intensive treatment, he succumbed to the reaction the following day.











