A devastating grizzly bear attack has left one person dead and eleven others injured after it targeted a group of schoolchildren on a hike in Canada.
The Attack in Bella Coola
The incident occurred on Thursday in the Bella Coola area, where the children were hiking with their teachers. The bear, described as aggressive, launched the attack and is currently still on the loose.
Emergency health services spokesperson Brian Twaites confirmed that two people were critically injured and two sustained serious injuries. Other victims received medical treatment directly at the scene. A significant airlift operation was required to evacuate the injured, including a male teacher who reportedly bore the brunt of the assault.
Eyewitness Accounts and Community Response
Veronica Schooner, a parent of one of the children, provided harrowing details. Her ten-year-old son, Alvarez, was so close to the animal that he felt its fur. "He said that bear ran so close to him, but it was going after somebody else," Ms Schooner recounted.
She also revealed that teachers bravely defended the pupils, with some children being inadvertently sprayed with bear spray during the struggle. Following the traumatic event, her son was limping and deeply distressed. "He keeps crying for his friends, and oh my goodness, right away he started praying for his friends," she said.
The Nuxalk Nation, the self-governing Indigenous community in the region, has deployed police and conservation officers to locate the animal. Chief Samuel Schooner expressed the community's devastation, stating, "We are devastated for the individuals and families impacted by the bear incident. All individuals involved are receiving medical support and our priority is to ensure that they are safe." Local residents have been warned to stay indoors and not to search for the grizzly.
Broader Context of Bear Encounters
The group was from the Acwsalcta School, an independent institution run by the Nuxalk First Nation. The school released a statement expressing its difficulty in processing the tragedy, saying, "It’s hard to know what to say during this very difficult time. We are so grateful for our team and our students."
This attack is reported to be the sixth serious incident involving bears in Canada this year. In July, a man was bitten and scratched by a grizzly near Fort Nelson, and in October, a hunter died after fighting off a grizzly in East Kootenay.
The tragedy in Canada follows a separate surge in bear attacks in northern Japan, where troops have been dispatched to help contain the situation. Since April, bear incidents in Japan have resulted in at least 12 deaths and over 100 injuries, with animals frequently appearing in urban areas like schools, train stations, and supermarkets.
