Bear kills ‘UK tourist’ in Norway

5 August 2011 Last updated at 07:00 ET

The scene of the attack was a remote wilderness popular with adventurers and researchers

A polar bear has mauled a ng British tourist to death and seriously injured four others in a remote area of Norway, according to the country’s state media.

The Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation claimed they were tourists with the British Schools Exploring Society.

The governor’s office in Svalbard district confirmed four people were in hospital and the bear had been killed.

The UK Foreign Office has confirmed its embassy in Oslo is “urgently” looking into the reports.

The attack at Von Postbreen, about 25 miles (40km) from Longyearbyen, took place early on Friday.

Four people injured in the mauling were flown to Longyearbyen hospital and are due to be airlifted to a hospital in Tromsoe, the governor’s office spokeswoman said.

The British Schools Exploring Society’s head office in London would not confirm that they were involved, but said their chairman would make a statement later.

The governor’s office spokeswoman said the attack took place in a remote wilderness popular with tourists, researchers and adventurers.

She also urged those worried about their relatives to call 0047 7902 4305 or 0047 7902 4302.

Polar bears are one of the largest land carnivores, reaching up to 8ft (2.5m) and weighing 800kg (125st).

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