Half a Million Honeybees Killed in Netherlands Fire Incident.

A Dutch beekeeper has voiced dismay after his ten colonies were set ablaze in a public garden in the city of Almere, causing the death of an estimated 500,000 bees.

The beekeeper mentioned that each hive contained a population of 40-60,000 bees, and the thought that anyone could kill them was horrific.

"It really hurts that my 10 hives have died," he told regional media.

Law enforcement in Almere, which sits to the east of Amsterdam, have appealed for witnesses after the deliberate fire on Tuesday night in the city's scenic Beatrixpark. They posted pictures of the fire on social media.

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

Mr Stringer explained that police had told him an flammable substance had been used to ignite the hives, which were placed on wooden platforms in a wooded part of the park.

Barely any of the bees survived and he noted that he had doubt the perpetrator would be apprehended.

Another apiarist Heleen Nieman stated on national radio that she had three bee colonies and wanted to give him a colony.

For Mr Stringer, who looked after the bees for about nine years, the incident means starting a fresh hive in the park from scratch.

But he affirms he will continue his efforts.

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