Father and Son Die After Killer Hornet Attack in Laos
On October 15, 2025, an American man and his teenage son were fatally attacked by Asian giant hornets while zip-lining at Green Jungle Park, an eco-adventure resort near Luang Prabang along the Mekong River in Laos.
Incident Details
Mr. Daniel Owen, 47, and his son Cooper, 15, were stung over a hundred times by a swarm of these predatory insects, known as "murder hornets." Both struggled to descend from a tree with their guide but died hours after being taken to a nearby hospital.
About the Hornets
Asian giant hornets can reach lengths of up to 6.35 cm. Their venom causes necrosis, which destroys cells or tissue around the sting site. Multiple stings can be fatal, especially if venom spreads through the bloodstream to vital 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.
If victims get stung many times, it can be fatal, especially if the venom reaches the victim’s organs via the bloodstream.
Mr. Owen was a director at an international school in Vietnam. The fate of their guide remains unknown.
Author's summary: An American father and son succumbed to multiple stings from invasive Asian giant hornets during a zip-lining trip in Laos, highlighting the lethal threat these insects pose.