Two tourists from Peelamedu in Coimbatore on a visit to the Nilgiris died after being stung by a swarm of hornets near Hadathorai in Kotagiri on Saturday.
Police identified the deceased as Karthikeyan, 53, and Rajashekar, 52. They were part of a group of nine tourists, who were visiting the Nilgiris and were on a trek to a waterfall when they were attacked by the hornets, officials said.
In the incident, both Karthikeyan and Rajashekar died, while another person has been referred to a Coimbatore hospital for further treatment. Six others suffered minor stings and were discharged after being given first aid.