🔗 Share this article 500,000 Bees Killed in Netherlands Arson Attack. Harold Stringer's 10 hives were razed in a park in the city of Almere. A beekeeper from the Netherlands has expressed shock after his ten colonies were set ablaze in a public garden in the city of Almere, causing the loss of an approximated half a million bees. Harold Stringer stated that every colony contained a colony of 40-60,000 bees, and the thought that anyone could destroy them was horrific. "It really hurts that my ten colonies have perished," he told local broadcaster. Police in Almere, located to the east of Amsterdam, have appealed for witnesses after the arson attack on Tuesday night in the city's scenic Beatrixpark. They shared pictures of the blaze on social media. The Dutch government says that over 50% of the nation's 360 types of bee are at risk of dying out, as the population of bees declines around the world. Mr Stringer said that police had informed him an accelerant had been employed to ignite the hives, which were placed on wooden platforms in a wooded part of the park. Almost none of the bees survived and he noted that he had doubt the perpetrator would be apprehended. Fellow beekeeper a local beekeeper stated on national radio that she had three hives and wanted to donate a colony. For Mr Stringer, who cared for the bees for about nine years, the incident means building a new colony in the park from the beginning. But he affirms he will not give up. Similar Events A Million Bees Lost in Hives Arson Attack. Honeybees Netherlands