Half a Million Bees Killed in Netherlands Deliberate Blaze.

A beekeeper from the Netherlands has voiced shock after his ten colonies were set ablaze in a public garden in the central city of Almere, causing the loss of an approximated half a million bees.

Harold Stringer stated that each hive housed a population of 40-60,000 bees, and the idea that anyone could destroy them was horrific.

"It is deeply painful that my 10 hives have perished," he informed regional media.

Police in Almere, located to the northeast of Amsterdam, have appealed for witnesses after the arson attack on Tuesday night in the city's picturesque Beatrixpark. They shared images of the fire on online platforms.

The Dutch government says that over 50% of the nation's 360 types of bee are at threat of extinction, as the number of bees declines around the world.

The beekeeper explained that police had informed him an flammable substance had been employed to ignite the colonies, which were placed on wooden platforms in a forested area of the park.

Almost none of the bees made it through and he noted that he had doubt the perpetrator would be caught.

Fellow beekeeper a local beekeeper stated on Dutch radio that she had three bee colonies and wanted to donate one of them.

For Mr Stringer, who looked after the colonies for about nine years, the incident means building a new colony in the area from scratch.

But he affirms he will continue his efforts.

Related Incidents

• 'One Million Bees' Lost in Hives Arson Attack.