The victim was an employee of Nasittuq Corp., the company confirms; two bears involved in the attack
An employee at a remote radar station on Brevoort Island, Nunavut, was killed Thursday when he was attacked by two polar bears. Shown here: a satellite image of the facility on the island, which lies just over 200 kilometers southeast of Iqaluit. (Photo courtesy of Google Maps)
A worker at a long-range radar station on Brevoort Island, Nunavut, died on Thursday in an attack by two polar bears.
Nasittuq Corp. confirmed the death of its employee in a press release Friday afternoon. The person’s name was not released and the circumstances leading to the death were not described.
Nasittuq President Chris Webb told Nunatsiaq News the company will not release any further information while the RCMP and other agencies’ investigations are ongoing.
“We have to respect the family in this tragic situation and let the (investigators) and authorities do their job,” Webb said.
The company’s press release states: “It is with deep sadness that Nasittuq Corporation confirms that a tragic incident occurred at one of our work sites on Brevoort Island, Nunavut (August 8).”
The press release said station staff responded to the attack and “one of the animals was killed.”
The company is supporting the victim’s family and offering counseling services to all employees affected by the incident. The press release also states that the company is cooperating with authorities in the investigation.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) of Nunavut did not respond to a request for comment early Friday evening.
Brevoort Island is a small area on the eastern edge of Baffin Island, about 200 kilometers southeast of Iqaluit.
The BAF-3 radar station there is part of the North Warning System of the USA and Canada, which is operated by the North American Aerospace Defense Command.
The North Warning System is a series of long-range radar stations spanning the U.S. and Canadian Arctic.
“Out of respect for the family’s privacy, we are not releasing the individual’s name at this time,” the press release said. “On behalf of the family, we ask for your understanding and privacy as we process this tragic situation.”
