Russia: Smartphone explosion saves teenager from bear attack

A 15-year-old boy in Russia's Altai Krai survived a brutal bear attack after his smartphone exploded during the encounter. The incident occurred near the remote village of Solton while the teenager was tending to family beehives.

When the Siberian bear attacked, the boy attempted to climb a tree, but the animal pulled him to the ground. During the struggle, the bear bit through the battery of the smartphone in the boy's back pocket, causing it to explode and catch fire. The sudden explosion and flames startled the bear, causing it to release the boy and flee into the forest.

The teenager sustained critical injuries to his head, face, and neck. After receiving initial treatment in Biysk, he was transferred to a specialized clinic in Moscow for surgery. Local officials noted that increased forest fires in the region have been driving wildlife closer to human settlements, contributing to a rise in such encounters.