An American father and son have been stung to death by a swarm of giant hornets during a holiday in Laos.

Dan Owen and Cooper, 15, were descending a tree after zip-lining at a resort near the northern city of Luang Prabang when they were attacked by the insects.

They were taken for treatment "covered in red spots" after the "very, very painful" attack, Phakan Arocavet Clinic doctor Phanomsay Phakan told The Times .

"A lot of stings, more than 100, over the whole body. I thought already that it's a very dangerous situation because I had never seen it as bad as that,"

he said.

The father and son arrived at the clinic conscious and did not show signs of an allergic reaction.

About an hour later, they were taken to a regional hospital where they died.

A Green Jungle Park spokesperson

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