Apicalisse

In May 2023, catastrophic flooding struck Emilia-Romagna, claiming 17 lives and displacing thousands of residents. Beyond the immediate human tragedy, the disaster dealt a severe blow to the region's beekeeping sector, with initial estimates reporting over 250 million bees killed by floodwaters and landslides.

Beekeeping is essential to Emilia-Romagna's agricultural economy well beyond honey production. Without bee pollination, key regional crops remain severely at risk. This story documents the silent ecological and economic crisis left in the wake of the disaster, following local beekeepers fighting to rebuild their hives, restore their livelihood, and safeguard the ecosystem.