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Date Published: 25/05/2023

Four Cadiz sailors rescued following another killer whale attack

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A group of orcas charged the sailboat and caused significant damage in the waters of Tarifa

Four Cadiz sailors rescued following another killer whale attack

The Strait of Gibraltar has been the subject of repeated killer whale attacks in recent years and a large sailboat cruising through the waters of Tarifa in Cadiz became the latest casualty in the early hours of Thursday morning, May 25.

Shortly before 3am, a group of orcas rammed the Mustique vessel as she was heading to Gibraltar manned by four crew members. The attack caused extensive damage to the rudder and a large crack in the stern leaving the ship stranded.

Also of interest: Killer whales in Spain are teaching their young how to attack boats

The Salvamar Enif rescue boat the Helimer 222 helicopter were dispatched to the accident area at 2.55pm, where they had to use a bilge pump to bail out the six inches of water that had flooded in due to the breach.

Rescue workers picked up the four sailors from the boat and they disembarked safely in the Port of Barbate. The sailboat was towed to shore where it will undergo extensive repairs.

Now read: Spanish sailors reveal what you should do if you meet a killer whale on the water

Image: Salvamento Marítimo

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