Terrifying footage shows the moment a wild bear charged through a city street and mauled a man during a rampage that left four people injured.
The animal was caught on CCTV sprinting across a road before targeting a man outside a factory entrance.
In the dramatic footage, the bear chases the terrified victim around a tree several times before knocking him to the ground.
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The animal then reportedly smashed through a glass door as it charged into a nearby building.
Four people were injured during the attacks, including a man in his 20s, two men in their 60s and an 80-year-old woman, as reported by Need To Know.
All were conscious when taken to hospital and suffered injuries ranging from minor to moderate. None are believed to be in a life-threatening condition.
The attacks unfolded in Fukushima City, Japan, during the early hours of Tuesday (2 June).
Police received the first emergency call at around 6.30am from Fukushima Steel Works, where the bear initially attacked two male employees.
The animal then moved into a nearby residential area, where it injured an elderly woman, before attacking another man at a separate company around 500 metres away.
Local schools were closed and residents were urged to remain indoors while authorities assessed how to deal with the bear.
Officials were considering a number of options, including shooting the animal.
Operations at the factory were suspended following reports that the bear had taken shelter inside a nearby building.
The shocking footage sparked a wave of reactions online.
One Instagram commenter said: “Looks like playing tag is the only way to save yourself.”
Another said the bear “just wanted to play”, while a third suggested: “Too hot, no food… the bear came to the city.”
Japan has seen a sharp rise in bear encounters in recent years, with increasing numbers of attacks being linked to habitat pressures and growing bear populations.
Local authorities continue to monitor the situation, with patrols remaining in place while efforts to locate the animal continue.
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