1 dead, 3 hurt in Japan bear attack

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - One person has died, while three others were seriously hurt Friday in a bear attack in northeastern Japan, local media reported, citing police.

According to the Mainichi newspaper, the attack occurred when a couple in their 70s was working outdoors, with the two other victims, both male, having come to their rescue.

The municipal office of Higashinaruse in Akita province made an emergency call before noon that several people were injured in a bear attack.

Police found three men and a woman collapsed at the scene. It was not immediately clear which of the male victims had died.

About two hours after the call, hunters fatally shot a bear spotted near the area. It was not confirmed whether that was the bear involved in the attack.

The attack comes amid a recent surge in bear-related incidents across the country.

Japan's environment minister last Friday said tougher measures would be taken to control the bear population after record fatalities from attacks.

A revised law that came into effect on Sept. 1 permits authorities to approve the shooting of wild bears in urban areas.