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<p>A group of orcas, also known as killer whales, assaulted and sank a sailing yacht in the Strait of Gibraltar, situated between Spain and Morocco, according to a report from ABC News. The incident involved two people on board, who were later rescued by a Spanish rescue team.</p>

<p>The yacht, named Alboran Cognac and measuring 50 feet, was approximately 15 miles (24 km) away from Cabo Espartel in Morocco when it was rammed by a pack of orcas.</p>

<p>Although the crew members were safely rescued, authorities were unable to save he sinking vessel. Spanish officials have issued advisories for sailors to avoid specific areas while navigating through the region. The Strait of Gibraltar serves as a crucial passage connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, acting as a natural boundary between Europe and Africa.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/ai-deciphers-sperm-whale-clicks-unravels-underwater-conversations-719623">Also read | AI deciphers sperm whale clicks, unravels underwater conversations</a></p>

<p>According to GT Orca Atlantica, a conservation organisation, there have been over 700 documented killer whale attacks since 2020. The group also noted the presence of more than 37 orcas in the Strait of Gibraltar.</p>

<p>"During the summer and autumn of 2020, interaction events began to occur between several specimens of this species and vessels, mainly sailboats, both in the Strait of Gibraltar and in the waters of the Galician coast," according to Spanish government officials. "These interactions have ranged from persistent approaches to ships, to ramming the hull and rudder, causing various types of damage, which continue today."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/whales-are-struggling-to-communicate-due-to-human-noise-pollution-says-study-692782">Also read | Whales are struggling to communicate due to human noise pollution, says study</a></p>

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<h2><strong>Deciphering Orca behaviour</strong></h2>

<p>Even experts are puzzled by why orcas sometimes attack boats. Some think they might see them as toys or threats.</p>

<p>For example, in October 2023, a yacht owned by a Polish tour company got hit by orcas for 45 minutes, causing big damage and sinking it.</p>

<p>In another case, during a sailing race last year, a boat from the Netherlands to Italy had a 15-minute standoff with orcas. The crew had to make noise to scare them off.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>
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A group of orcas, also known as killer whales, assaulted and sank a sailing yacht in the Strait of Gibraltar, situated between Spain and Morocco, according to a report from ABC News.

A group of orcas, also known as killer whales, assaulted and sank a sailing yacht in the Strait of Gibraltar, situated between Spain and Morocco, according to a report from ABC News. The incident involved two people on board, who were later rescued by a Spanish rescue team. The yacht, named Alboran Cognac and measuring 50 feet, was approximately 15 miles (24 km) away from Cabo Espartel in Morocco when it was rammed by a pack of orcas. Although the crew members were safely rescued, authorities were unable to save he sinking vessel. Spanish officials have issued advisories for sailors to avoid specific areas while navigating through the region. The Strait of Gibraltar serves as a crucial passage connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, acting as a natural boundary between Europe and Africa. Also read | AI deciphers sperm whale clicks, unravels underwater conversations According to GT Orca Atlantica, a conservation organisation, there have been over 700 documented killer whale attacks since 2020. The group also noted the presence of more than 37 orcas in the Strait of Gibraltar. "During the summer and autumn of 2020, interaction events began to occur between several specimens of this species and vessels, mainly sailboats, both in the Strait of Gibraltar and in the waters of the Galician coast," according to Spanish government officials. "These interactions have ranged from persistent approaches to ships, to ramming the hull and rudder, causing various types of damage, which continue today." Also read | Whales are struggling to communicate due to human noise pollution, says study Deciphering Orca behaviour Even experts are puzzled by why orcas sometimes attack boats. Some think they might see them as toys or threats. For example, in October 2023, a yacht owned by a Polish tour company got hit by orcas for 45 minutes, causing big damage and sinking it. In another case, during a sailing race last year, a boat from the Netherlands to Italy had a 15-minute standoff with orcas. The crew had to make noise to scare them off. (With inputs from agencies)

Killer whales strike: 50-foot yacht sunk by orcas near Morocco

<p>Orcas, which are big sea animals, have attacked a yacht again. This time, they made a Polish yacht sink in the Strait of Gibraltar, a trend widely visible since 2020.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The orca (Orcinus orca), also called killer whale, is a toothed whale belonging to the oceanic dolphin family, of which it is the largest member.</p>

<p>The yacht that was targeted by Orcas this time around was Grazie Mamma II, and it belonged to a company from Poland called Morskie Mile. The company gave details about the attack on their Facebook page.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Orca moms protect their sons from social injury, but not their daughters: Study</strong></p>

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<p>On October 31, when the yacht was passing through the Strait of Gibraltar, a group of orcas attacked it.</p>

<p>These orcas hit the part of the boat that helps it steer, for 45 minutes, causing a lot of damage and making the yacht start to leak water.</p>

<p>"The crew is safe, unharmed and sound already in Spain," the post stated.</p>

<p>Even though the captain and the crew tried really hard, and search and rescue teams, big boats, and the Navy from Morocco came to help, the yacht still sank near a place called Tanger Med.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/rare-video-captures-killer-whale-tearing-into-massive-shark-slurping-its-liver-watch-622127"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Rare video captures killer whale tearing into massive shark, `slurping` its liver. Watch</strong></a></p>

<p>The company now wants to make sure that their trips to the Canary Islands will go unaffected, and they will talk to the people who were going on the trip soon.</p>

<p>Scientists are not sure why the orcas keep attacking boats in that area. One idea is that one orca got scared by a boat or a fishing vessel before, and now it's teaching other orcas to act aggressively. But some people think the orcas might just be playing with the boats and not trying to be mean.</p>

<p>Experts are now advising sailors active in the area to demonstrate preparedness in a case of an orca attack. They have also been advised not to sail at night.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Orcas, which are big sea animals, have attacked a yacht again. This time, they made a Polish yacht sink in the Strait of Gibraltar, a trend widely visible since 2020.

Orcas, which are big sea animals, have attacked a yacht again. This time, they made a Polish yacht sink in the Strait of Gibraltar, a trend widely visible since 2020. The orca (Orcinus orca), also called killer whale, is a toothed whale belonging to the oceanic dolphin family, of which it is the largest member. The yacht that was targeted by Orcas this time around was Grazie Mamma II, and it belonged to a company from Poland called Morskie Mile. The company gave details about the attack on their Facebook page. Watch: Orca moms protect their sons from social injury, but not their daughters: Study × On October 31, when the yacht was passing through the Strait of Gibraltar, a group of orcas attacked it. These orcas hit the part of the boat that helps it steer, for 45 minutes, causing a lot of damage and making the yacht start to leak water. "The crew is safe, unharmed and sound already in Spain," the post stated. Even though the captain and the crew tried really hard, and search and rescue teams, big boats, and the Navy from Morocco came to help, the yacht still sank near a place called Tanger Med. Also read: Rare video captures killer whale tearing into massive shark, `slurping` its liver. Watch The company now wants to make sure that their trips to the Canary Islands will go unaffected, and they will talk to the people who were going on the trip soon. Scientists are not sure why the orcas keep attacking boats in that area. One idea is that one orca got scared by a boat or a fishing vessel before, and now it's teaching other orcas to act aggressively. But some people think the orcas might just be playing with the boats and not trying to be mean. Experts are now advising sailors active in the area to demonstrate preparedness in a case of an orca attack. They have also been advised not to sail at night. (With inputs from agencies)

Orcas sink another yacht near Strait of Gibraltar after sustained 45-min-long attack

<p>One man died in Australia after a whale hit his boat and flipped it during a fishing expedition. Another person accompanying him was in hospital on Saturday, Reuters reported.</p>

<p>The person who died was pulled in an unconscious state from Botany Bay off Sydney. The 61-year-old was later pronounced dead by authorities, while the other person, a 53-year-old skipper, was stable and being treated in hospital.</p>

<p>New South Wales Police Minister Yasmin Catley termed the incident ‘terribly tragic’.</p>

<p>"A whale has been involved, whoever would have thought that that would have occurred, it's terribly tragic," he was quoted as saying by Reuters.</p>

<h2><strong>People on the second boat came to help</strong></h2>

<p>Aljazeera reported that people on a second boat first spotted their 4.8-metre vessel and raised the alarm.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The boat “was likely to have struck or been impacted by a whale breaching, causing the boat to tilt, ejecting both men”, police said in a statement.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-wine-industry-awaits-relief-as-billion-of-litres-unsold-report-640368"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Australian wine industry awaits relief as billions of litres unsold: Report</strong></a></p>

<p>Australia’s ABC quoted Water Police Acting Superintendent Siobhan Munro as saying that the men could have been in the water for 45 minutes before they were spotted and rescued.</p>

<h2><strong>Deaths by whales</strong></h2>

<p>The incident is shocking as human deaths caused by whales are extremely rare. Australia’s coastline is known for housing 10 large and 20 smaller species of whales.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;From floods to fires: Australia's growing climate crisis</strong></p>

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<p>“Right now there are lots of whales out there and there are lots of examples of whales breaching next to boats,” Munro said.</p>

<h2><strong>Advisory</strong></h2>

<p>According to New South Wales Maritime executive director Mark Hutchings, people should stay at least 100 metres away from an adult whale and 300 metres away if the whale is accompanying a calf or baby whale.</p>

<p>“Whales aren’t there to harm anyone, but those interactions can happen,” Hutchings told the ABC.</p>

<p>A similar incident was earlier reported in June when eight Danish people were rescued after their sailboat capsized in the Pacific Ocean following a collision with one or two whales.</p>

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One man died in Australia after a whale hit his boat and flipped it during a fishing expedition. Another person accompanying him was in hospital on Saturday, Reuters reported.

One man died in Australia after a whale hit his boat and flipped it during a fishing expedition. Another person accompanying him was in hospital on Saturday, Reuters reported. The person who died was pulled in an unconscious state from Botany Bay off Sydney. The 61-year-old was later pronounced dead by authorities, while the other person, a 53-year-old skipper, was stable and being treated in hospital. New South Wales Police Minister Yasmin Catley termed the incident ‘terribly tragic’. "A whale has been involved, whoever would have thought that that would have occurred, it's terribly tragic," he was quoted as saying by Reuters. People on the second boat came to help Aljazeera reported that people on a second boat first spotted their 4.8-metre vessel and raised the alarm. The boat “was likely to have struck or been impacted by a whale breaching, causing the boat to tilt, ejecting both men”, police said in a statement. Also read: Australian wine industry awaits relief as billions of litres unsold: Report Australia’s ABC quoted Water Police Acting Superintendent Siobhan Munro as saying that the men could have been in the water for 45 minutes before they were spotted and rescued. Deaths by whales The incident is shocking as human deaths caused by whales are extremely rare. Australia’s coastline is known for housing 10 large and 20 smaller species of whales. Watch: From floods to fires: Australia's growing climate crisis × “Right now there are lots of whales out there and there are lots of examples of whales breaching next to boats,” Munro said. Advisory According to New South Wales Maritime executive director Mark Hutchings, people should stay at least 100 metres away from an adult whale and 300 metres away if the whale is accompanying a calf or baby whale. “Whales aren’t there to harm anyone, but those interactions can happen,” Hutchings told the ABC. A similar incident was earlier reported in June when eight Danish people were rescued after their sailboat capsized in the Pacific Ocean following a collision with one or two whales. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Australia: One dead, another injured after whale hits, flips their boat 

<p>Five people died in New Zealand after a boat with 11 people capsized near the South Island on Saturday. Reports suggest that a whale toppled the boat, but the police hasn't confirmed it yet. People aboard the boat were from a bird-watching group, which overturned in calm waters soon after 10 am at Goose Bay, about 15 kilometres (nine miles) south of Kaikoura, according to local officials.</p>

<p>Six people were rescued following a rescue operation that lasted nearly seven hours, while a police dive squad recovered five bodies from inside the vessel. Media reports said the skipper of the boat had survived.</p>

<p>"This is a tragic event that affects many lives, not least of all families and loved ones," Kaikoura Mayor Craig Mackle said at a press conference, according to RNZ. "We've shut the harbour down so that they can carry on working," he added.</p>

<p>The deceased haven't been identified yet. The injured were taken to Kaikoura Health Centre, one of whom was later transferred to the Christchurch Hospital.</p>

<p>Earlier, images on social media showed survivors waving for help on the upturned hull of the 8.5-metre boat, which police confirmed belonged to a local charter business.</p>

<p>Mackle told AFP there were "indications" the boat had collided with a whale, however police wouldn't comment on that possibility as their investigation continued.</p>

<p>"The information we have at the moment is it appears to be a collision. With what, we don't know at this stage. This is an unprecedented event that has occurred, involving significant response from emergency services and members of the public," Kaikoura Police Sergeant Matt Boyce told a press conference.</p>

<p>Mackle confirmed it was a time of year when whales were prevalent off Kaikoura's coast. "Humpback whales are coming through at the moment and we have sperm whales that are resident."</p>

<p>Kaikoura is a popular tourist attraction because of its abundant wildlife and boasts the country's premier whale-watching experience.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Five people died in New Zealand after a boat with 11 people capsized near the South Island on Saturday. Reports suggest that a whale toppled the boat, but the police hasn't confirmed it yet.

Five people died in New Zealand after a boat with 11 people capsized near the South Island on Saturday. Reports suggest that a whale toppled the boat, but the police hasn't confirmed it yet. People aboard the boat were from a bird-watching group, which overturned in calm waters soon after 10 am at Goose Bay, about 15 kilometres (nine miles) south of Kaikoura, according to local officials. Six people were rescued following a rescue operation that lasted nearly seven hours, while a police dive squad recovered five bodies from inside the vessel. Media reports said the skipper of the boat had survived. "This is a tragic event that affects many lives, not least of all families and loved ones," Kaikoura Mayor Craig Mackle said at a press conference, according to RNZ. "We've shut the harbour down so that they can carry on working," he added. The deceased haven't been identified yet. The injured were taken to Kaikoura Health Centre, one of whom was later transferred to the Christchurch Hospital. Earlier, images on social media showed survivors waving for help on the upturned hull of the 8.5-metre boat, which police confirmed belonged to a local charter business. Mackle told AFP there were "indications" the boat had collided with a whale, however police wouldn't comment on that possibility as their investigation continued. "The information we have at the moment is it appears to be a collision. With what, we don't know at this stage. This is an unprecedented event that has occurred, involving significant response from emergency services and members of the public," Kaikoura Police Sergeant Matt Boyce told a press conference. Mackle confirmed it was a time of year when whales were prevalent off Kaikoura's coast. "Humpback whales are coming through at the moment and we have sperm whales that are resident." Kaikoura is a popular tourist attraction because of its abundant wildlife and boasts the country's premier whale-watching experience. (With inputs from agencies)

Five killed as boat capsizes in calm waters amid ‘indications’ of toppling by whale

Once hunted to near extinction, whales continue to face threats from marine pollution, ships & abandoned fishing gear. Why must these evolutionary marvels be protected?

Wion Wideangle: Whales under attack: Calls from the deep

Whales under attack: Calls from the deep | WION Wideangle

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