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A Dutch beekeeper has expressed shock after his ten colonies were set ablaze in a park in the central city of Almere, resulting in the death of an approximated half a million bees.

Harold Stringer mentioned that every colony contained a colony of 40-60,000 bees, and the thought that anyone could destroy them was horrific.

"It is deeply painful that my ten colonies have perished," he told local broadcaster.

Police in Almere, which sits to the east of Amsterdam, have appealed for observers after the arson attack on Tuesday evening in the city's scenic Beatrixpark. They posted images of the blaze on online platforms.

The Dutch government reports that more than half of the country's 360 types of bee are at risk of dying out, as the population of bees declines around the world.

Mr Stringer explained that police had told him an accelerant had been employed to burn the colonies, which were sitting on wooden platforms in a forested area of the garden.

Almost none of the bees survived and he noted that he had doubt the arsonist would be apprehended.

Fellow beekeeper Heleen Nieman stated on national radio that she had three hives and wanted to give him a colony.

For Mr Stringer, who cared for the bees for about almost a decade, the incident means starting a fresh hive in the area from scratch.

But he insists he will continue his efforts.

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• A Million Bees Lost in Hives Arson Attack.