Russian Teen Survives Bear Attack After Smartphone Catches Fire in Pocket

A 15-year-old boy survived a grizzly bear attack in Russia's Altai region after the smartphone in his pocket caught fire during the mauling, startling the animal and forcing it to flee.

The Attack in the Altai Taiga

The incident took place on Thursday, October 8, in a wooded area approximately 20 kilometers from the village of Solton. The teenager had accompanied a 24-year-old friend to check beehives despite existing restrictions due to frequent bear sightings in the region. Upon encountering the bear, the teenager attempted to escape by climbing a tree, but the animal pulled him down to the ground.

I heard him screaming, turned around, and saw that the bear was already dragging him from the tree, so I released the dogs, recounted the 24-year-old companion.

The bear began to bite and scratch the teenager, sinking its teeth into his lower back directly where his mobile phone was stored in his pocket. According to the Russian Investigative Committee, the puncture caused the device's battery to ignite, producing flames that frightened the predator away.

Hospitalization and Medical Response

The severely injured teenager was rushed to a hospital in Biysk. Hospital director Dr. Sergey Kobyazin stated that the patient arrived with multiple injuries to the head, scalp, facial bones, and neck. Surgeons performed a three-hour emergency operation, treating brain trauma, chest and abdominal injuries, and extensive wounds.

After stabilizing, the boy was transferred to a hospital in Barnaul and subsequently airlifted to Moscow for specialized treatment. His condition remains critical but stable. Meanwhile, authorities launched a criminal investigation into alleged negligence, and three teams comprising about 12 hunters deployed to track down the bear amidst difficult weather conditions.