A professor of a private agriculture college died and 13 students, sustained injuries after being attacked by bees while they were on a field visit to an oil palm field at Kozhipakkam near Panruti in Cuddalore district on Wednesday.

The deceased was identified as S. Suresh, professor of Adhiparasakthi Agricultural College, Ranipet and a resident of Police Line, Panruti. Police said 18 students studying second-year diploma in the college along with two faculty members arrived on a field visit to the oil palm plantation belonging to Ravichandran Reddiyar of Kozhipakkam.

After going around the farmer’s apiary (bee farm), the students along with Mr. Suresh visited the oil palm plantation when a swarm of bees attacked them. The students and the faculty members were immediately rushed to the Panruti General Hospital where doctors pronounced Suresh dead on arrival. Thirteen persons including a faculty member have been admitted to the hospital.

Further investigations are on.