Off the northwestern coast of Spain, killer whales attacked and sank a sailing yacht, as reported by the country’s Maritime Rescue Service.
The incident unfolded roughly two kilometers from Cape Estaca de Bares in the province of La Coruña. The orcas damaged the steering system of the recreational yacht Idem, causing the vessel to start taking on water.
“Two crew members were picked up by a nearby motorboat and are now safe,” the rescue service stated.
A private boat attempted to tow the damaged yacht to shore, but it eventually sank. The crew was then taken to the town of Cariño, with no injuries reported among those on board. A helicopter surveyed the wreck site to check for any potential sea pollution.
On the same day, killer whales attacked three other sailing yachts in the same area. In every instance, the animals targeted the steering mechanism. Two of the boats managed to reach the shore on their own, while a third had to be escorted into port.
Previously, orcas have sunk several yachts off the coasts of Spain and Portugal. The animals typically approach vessels from the stern and break the rudder. Biologists suggest this behavior might be a form of play, passed from one killer whale to another.
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