A group of killer whales attacked and sank a sailing yacht off Gibraltar on Sunday. The two passengers were rescued by an oil tanker
An unknown number of orcas rammed a sailing yacht in Moroccan waters in the Strait of Gibraltar on Sunday morning, causing it to later sink, the latest attack in a trend that has been terrifying sailors in the region for the past four years. The latest incident took place at around 9 a.m.
The tanker eventually rescued the two people onboard and transported them to Gibraltar. The yacht was left adrift and eventually sank. The incident is the latest example of recurring orca rammings around the Gibraltar Strait that separates Europe from Africa and off the Atlantic coast of Portugal and northwestern Spain. Experts believe them to involve a subpopulation of about 15 individuals given the designation 'Gladis.
It is unclear why the orcas are targeting boats but some experts believe they may be acts of revenge. Marine biologist Alfredo Lopez Fernandez told Live Science previously that the lead whale, a female orca scientists have called White Gladis, suffered a 'critical moment of agony,' likely a collision with a boat or entanglement with a fishing line, that turned her more aggressive.
All but a handful resulted in only minor injuries or damage. However, the attacks have grown more frequent and a few have led to boats sinking. For instance, in August last year, Phep Philouceros, 77, was sailing off the coast of Cape Vincent in Portugal, when his boat was attacked by orcas. The sailor, who has 55 years of experience, said the orcas continued for 30 minutes — even following the boat as it was towed to shore. He caught part of the attack on video.
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