58-Year-Old Woman Killed in Bear Attack: Latest Updates

On Monday, April 27, 2026, a 58-year-old woman was killed in a rare brown bear attack in a remote forest near the town of Płonna in Poland’s southeastern Bieszczady region, according to her son and local authorities. The incident marks the first fatal bear attack in Poland since 2014 and has prompted warnings from local officials urging residents to avoid nearby wooded areas.

Attack Details

The victim, whose identity has not been released, was walking in the forest with her 27-year-old son when the attack occurred. According to statements from emergency responders, the son was on the phone with his mother when he heard her scream, “Bear, bear!” before the call abruptly ended. He immediately alerted authorities, but by the time rescue teams arrived, the woman was already dead.

A firefighter at the scene told Polish news channel TVN24 that the woman sustained “lacerated and extensive” head injuries. Paweł Giba, a spokesman for the local emergency services, confirmed that firefighters and police were dispatched around 10:30 local time (08:30 GMT) but faced difficulties reaching the site due to challenging terrain and poor phone reception.

The victim’s second son later told TVN24 that his mother may have accidentally stepped on the bear while it was resting. “She must have stepped on it. When a bear lies down, it’s like a mound of dark earth. Once it hits, there’s no escape,” he said.

Local Response and Warnings

Following the attack, the Bukowsko Commune issued a warning on social media, advising residents to avoid entering nearby forest areas “due to the fatal bear attack on a woman in Płonna.” The statement underscored the rarity of such incidents in Poland, where human-bear encounters are uncommon.

Poland is home to approximately 100 brown bears, with the majority residing in the Bieszczady Mountains. While the animals typically avoid human contact, this attack has raised concerns about potential risks in the region. The last recorded fatal bear attack in Poland occurred in 2014, according to local media reports.

A local police officer, Sgt. Anna Oleniacz, told Polish news website Onet that the victim’s son had briefly stepped away before the attack. “Just as the bear attacked the 58-year-old woman, her 27-year-old companion had stepped away for a moment. When he returned and saw that she was injured, he called for help,” Oleniacz said.

Investigation and Aftermath

A prosecutor and a doctor were present at the scene on the afternoon of the attack to conduct an initial investigation. The exact circumstances of the encounter remain under review, though authorities have not indicated any immediate signs of unusual bear behavior.

While brown bear attacks are rare in Poland, the incident has reignited discussions about wildlife safety in the Bieszczady region, a popular area for hiking and outdoor activities. Local officials have not announced any plans to relocate or cull bears in response to the attack, emphasizing instead the importance of public awareness and caution in bear habitats.

For now, residents and visitors in the area have been advised to remain vigilant, particularly in forested and mountainous regions where bears are known to reside.