A grizzly bear attacked a group of schoolchildren on a hike in Bella Coola, Canada, on Thursday, killing at least one person and injuring 11 others. The animal remains at large.
The Nuxalk Nation, the Indigenous community governing the area, confirmed that police and conservation officers are tracking the bear. Chief Samuel Schooner expressed devastation for those affected, stating that all individuals are receiving medical support.
Residents have been advised to stay indoors and avoid searching for the bear. A male teacher bore the brunt of the attack and was airlifted to hospital. Chief Schooner's 10-year-old son, Alvarez, was so close he felt the bear's fur; he escaped with a limp but is deeply distressed for his friends.
The group was from Acwsalcta School, run by the Nuxalk First Nation. The school expressed gratitude for their team and students during this difficult time.
This is the sixth bear incident in Canada this year, according to the Winnipeg Sun. The attack coincides with a surge in bear encounters in northern Japan, where at least 12 people have been killed since April.
