UK group ‘in fatal bear attack’

5 August 2011 Last updated at 06:26 ET

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

A polar bear has mauled one person to death and seriously injured four other members of a British group in northern Norway, authorities there say.

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

A spokeswoman said the five had been travelling with a “British group,” but was unsure if they were UK citizens.

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 Tromso, the governor’s office said.

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

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