A flamethrower drone incinerates wasp nests in China

A drone has been turned into a flying flamethrower in central China in a fiery campaign to eradicate more than 100 wasp nests.

Blue Sky Rescue, a group of volunteers doing search and rescue and other emergency work, has partnered with villagers in Zhong County, near Chongqing City.

They raised 80,000 yuan (NZ $ 17,241) to buy a drone and equip it with a gas tank and a long-range nozzle.

Videos posted by Blue Sky show a recent six-armed drone mission. It hovers over a hive as big as a suitcase before descending. The drone operator flips the power switch and the drone spits blasts of fire over the hive.

“The burning ashes of the wasp’s nest gradually peeled off and fell, and the surrounding residents applauded and praised the rescue team,” said an article on a local news app run by state-run Chongqing TV.

The article quotes a resident thanking Blue Sky for helping the town: “Now we don’t have to worry about being stung by a wasp.”

Blue Sky said it has destroyed 11 hives so far. More than 100 remain.