A grizzly bear has attacked a group of schoolchildren on a hike in Canada.

At least one person has died and 11 people injured after the incident in Bella Coola on Thursday.

The children were on a hike with teachers when the ‘aggressive’ bear attacked.It is still on the loose.

Nuxalk Nation, the self-governing indigenous community in the area, said police and conservation officers were deployed in efforts to find the animal.

Samuel Schooner, chief of the Nuxalk Nation, said: ‘We are devastated for the individuals and families impacted by the bear incident.

‘All individuals involved are receiving medical support and our priority is to ensure that they are safe.’

People were warned to stay indoors and not to go looking for the grizzly bear.

Brian Twaites, the emergency health services

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