Bear kills U.S. tourist in Romania

BUCHAREST, Romania — A bear attacked a group of U.S. tourists on a remote trail in the Carpathian Mountains, killing a woman and injuring two other people, authorities said Sunday.

The group of six tourists chased off the bear when it tried to approach them near a cabin about 75 miles north of Bucharest, but the bear reappeared on a trail and attacked the group around 10 p.m. Saturday.

The bear attacked a 26-year-old woman. After she fell down and tourists threw stones at the bear, it turned its attention to a man, biting him on the leg. The bear then mauled to death the 31-year-old woman, despite more attempts to distract it by throwing stones.

Officials did not immediately disclose the victims' identities or hometowns.

The 31-year-old died from her injuries shortly after the arrival of rescuers, state news agency Rompres reported, citing local police officials.

The bear had earlier bitten a Romanian tourist on the shoulder and attacked sheep, Andi Mihai, one of the members of the rescue team, told Realitatea TV news.

Authorities are searching for the bear to euthanize it.

Romania is home to about half of Europe's brown bear population, but attacks on humans are rare. Three years ago, two men died after they were attacked by a rabid bear.