An Asian black bear attacked four people on Tuesday morning (2) in Fukushima, northeast of Japão. The animal broke into the Fukushima Steel Works complex and then went to a nearby residential area. The victims were taken to the hospital conscious. Até this Wednesday (3), the bear remained on the premises of a factory.
The local police declared a state of emergency to allow the animal to be slaughtered. Escolas of elementary and secondary schools in the region suspended classes this Wednesday. The steel company stopped operations.
Imagens show chase at the factory entrance
Câmeras security guards at Fukushima Steel Works recorded the moment the bear appeared at the entrance to the industrial complex. The animal chased an employee in his 20s and knocked him to the ground.
The worker escaped with injuries. Logo later, the bear entered the yard and attacked another employee, around 60 years old. Both men suffered minor to moderate injuries.
- The first attack occurred at around 6:30 am
- The bear knocked down the youngest employee in the outdoor area
- The second attack took place inside the industrial complex
- The images were used by police to track the animal
80-year-old Moradora and another worker were also injured
The bear left the steel mill complex and headed towards Sasakino’s residential neighborhood. Lá, attacked a woman aged around 80 inside a house. The elderly woman was injured.
Pouco later, the animal invaded the premises of another company and injured an employee aged around 60 years. Todos the four affected received hospital care and remain stable.
Firefighters and police acted quickly after the first emergency call. Equipes surrounded the region. Caçadores were mobilized along with security forces.
Autoridades mount an operation to capture the animal
A polícia mantém o estado de emergência ativo nesta quarta-feira. The decree facilitates slaughter if the bear is not captured alive. Até At the moment, the animal is still inside one of the factories.
Moradores received instructions to avoid leaving the house. Authorities ask that no one approaches the delimited area. Drones and traps were prepared to support the operation.
Bombeiros’s Corpo confirmed that the four victims are out of risk. Nenhuma of them is in danger of death. Hospitals in the region monitor the evolution of cases.
Contexto of bear attacks increase on Japão
Fukushima records an increasing presence of bears in inhabited areas in recent years. Especialistas link the phenomenon to the reduction in hunters and changes in the animals’ natural habitat.
Last year, the country recorded a record number of similar incidents. Japanese Meio Ambiente’s Ministério monitors the advancement of cases in several northern regions.
- Aumento of bears in urban and industrial areas
- Redução from the experienced hunter population
- Escassez natural food in the wild habitat
- Mais of 200 documented attacks in 2025
Fábrica and schools remain closed during searches
Fukushima Steel Works has suspended all activities until the situation is under control. The measure protects employees who have not yet returned to work.
Escolas nearby keeps its doors closed this Wednesday. Pais received notices to keep children at home. The decision is valid for the duration of the capture operation.
Authorities have not yet set a deadline for resuming normal activities in the affected region. The focus remains on safely locating the bear.
The incident reinforces the need for stricter protocols in areas with a history of wildlife invasions in Japão. Equipes techniques evaluate additional preventative measures for the future.
