TOKYO, Oct 17 (NNN-NHK) – A worker at a hot spring facility, in the north-eastern Japan prefecture of Iwate, has gone missing, following a suspected bear attack, local media reported.
At around 11:15 a.m. local time yesterday, the Iwate prefectural police were alerted by the facility, located in Waga district, in the city of Kitakami, that a 60-year-old male employee had gone missing, while cleaning an open-air bath, Jiji Press reported.
What appeared to be blood stains were found on a rock near the entrance of the outdoor bath area, and under nearby fences, the report said.
The police also discovered a pair of glasses belonging to the missing employee, a single sandal and cleaning tools, scattered near the fences, as well as, strands of hair believed to be from an animal.
The police believe that, the man was attacked and dragged away by a bear, the report said.
Officials from the Ministry of the Environment said Wednesday that, the number of people killed by bear attacks in Japan from April to early this month totalled seven, surpassing the six recorded last fiscal year and marking a record high since records began in fiscal 2006.
People in north-eastern Japan are on alert, after a series of bear attacks, with experts warning, attacks tend to surge in autumn before bears hibernate. Low yields of beech nuts in north-eastern regions could drive more bears into residential areas.– NNN-NHK
