Oslo - A large swarm of bees Thursday caused problems for train passengers in south-eastern Norway, reports said.

Station manager Terje Andersen at the train station in Fredrikstad told broadcaster NRK that "the bees began to swarm around us" early in the afternoon.

Andersen and a colleague tried to alert passengers and passersby and fend off the insects, but were soon forced to flee over the mass of insects.

A couple relaxing in a nearby park were also forced to run by the cloud of bees that finally settled in a tree.

A beekeeper summoned to the site estimated that the swarm numbered 20,000 bees and was able to take care of the swarm, NRK said.

Train operator NSB said the bees did not cause any delays in train services. (dpa)