Half a Million Bees Killed in Netherlands Deliberate Blaze.

Destroyed beehives — Harold Stringer's 10 hives were destroyed in a green space in the Dutch city of Almere.

A beekeeper from the Netherlands has voiced shock after his ten colonies were burned down in a park in the city of Almere, resulting in the loss of an approximated 500,000 bees.

The beekeeper mentioned that every colony contained a population of 40-60,000 bees, and the thought that someone could destroy them was horrific.

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

Law enforcement in Almere, located to the northeast of Amsterdam, have requested observers after the arson attack on Tuesday evening in the city's scenic Beatrixpark. They shared pictures of the blaze on online platforms.

The Netherlands authorities reports that more than half of the country's 360 species of bee are at risk of extinction, as the population of bees decreases globally.

Mr Stringer said that police had told him an flammable substance had been used to ignite the hives, which were placed on pallets in a wooded part of the garden.

Almost none of the insects made it through and he noted that he had little faith the perpetrator would be apprehended.

Another apiarist a local beekeeper stated on national radio that she had three hives and wanted to donate a colony.

For Mr Stringer, who looked after the bees for about almost a decade, the fire means building a fresh hive in the area from scratch.

But he affirms he will continue his efforts.