SAGINAW, Texas (AP) — Four students have been treated and released from hospitals after nearly two dozen North Texas children were stung by bees during a physical education class.

Officials say a hive area will be monitored after a total of 23 sixth-graders at Highland Middle School in Saginaw were stung while outdoors.

An Eagle Mountain-Saginaw Independent School District spokeswoman said Wednesday that four students requiring additional medical attention were treated and released from hospitals. Kristin Courtney says the other 19 students who were stung Tuesday while playing soccer were treated at the scene.

Courtney says the children apparently stepped on an underground irrigation valve box where the bees had a hive. She says the bees were later cleared but the area will be closed until it's deemed safe for students.

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