2 Polar Bears Kill Worker at Remote Canadian Arctic Radar Base: 'Tragic Incident'
The rare fatal attack occurred on Aug. 8 in Nunavut, Canada
Uri and Helle Løvevild Golman
Polar bear in the ArcticA rare attack by two polar bears has killed a worker at a remote radar station in the Canadian Arctic.
The unidentified victim was attacked and killed by the bears at the facility in Nunavut, Canada on Aug. 8, the Nasittuq Corporation, which operates the site, confirmed in a news release.
“It is with deep sorrow that Nasittuq Corporation confirms a tragic incident occurred yesterday at one of our work locations on Brevoort Island, Nunavut. An attack by two polar bears has resulted in the loss of one of our valued employees,” the company stated, per the release.
The corporation shared that employees responded to the scene following the incident and one of the bears was put down. The events leading up to the attack were not disclosed.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and colleagues affected by this loss. Nasittuq Corporation is providing support to the family of the deceased during this difficult time,” the company added.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Related: Mom Says She Felt Like 'Rag Doll' During Bear Attack Before Barking Dog, and a Hair Clip, Saved Her
Related: Polar Bear Shot Dead After It Kills Woman and Boy in Alaska During 'Rare' Attack
According to local news outlet Nunatsiaq News, the site is among dozens that form the U.S. and Canada’s North Warning Systems. These radar systems are governed by the North American Aerospace Defense Command and located across the U.S. and Canadian Arctic.
Nasittuq president Chris Webb shared his reaction to the tragic incident with Nunatsiaq News, “We need to respect the family in this tragic situation and let the [investigators] and the authorities do their job.”
PEOPLE has reached out to Nunavut Royal Canadian Mounted Police for further details.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
This is the second fatal polar bear attack reported since 2023.
In January 2023, Summer Myomick, 24, and her 1-year-old son Clyde Ongtowasruk were killed by a polar bear while walking between a school building and a clinic in the remote Alaskan village of Wales.
The bear mauled the pair and chased "multiple" people in the community before it was fatally shot by a resident, according to a dispatch from the Alaska Department of Public Safety.
For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on People.
