Father and Son Die After Killer Hornet Attack in Laos
An American man and his teenage son died after being attacked by a swarm of Asian giant hornets while zip-lining in Laos.
Incident Details
On October 15, 2025, Daniel Owen, 47, and his 15-year-old son Cooper were zip-lining at Green Jungle Park, an eco-adventure resort near Luang Prabang along the Mekong River. They were attacked by a swarm of Asian giant hornets, known as “murder hornets,” and were stung more than 100 times.
Aftermath
Both men struggled to come down from a tree with their guide and were rushed to a nearby hospital, but they died hours later. The fate of their guide remains unknown.
About Asian Giant Hornets
- The Asian giant hornet can measure up to 6.35 cm in size.
- Its venom causes necrosis, leading to death of tissue around the sting site.
- Multiple stings can be fatal, especially if the venom enters the bloodstream and affects internal organs.
“They were attacked by a swarm of Asian giant hornets – an invasive, predatory insect dubbed ‘murder hornets’ – and stung more than a hundred times.”
Author’s summary: The fatal attack by invasive Asian giant hornets highlights the deadly risk of multiple stings and venom toxicity in outdoor adventure settings.