In Australia, a tragic incident occurred during a fishing expedition where a boat was struck and overturned by a whale, resulting in the death of one man and the hospitalization of another.
According to authorities, the incident took place off the coast of Sydney in Botany Bay. One of the individuals was found unconscious in the water and unfortunately passed away, while the other was transported to the hospital and is currently in stable condition, as confirmed by the police.
This unexpected and unusual event involving a whale left authorities and witnesses in disbelief. New South Wales Police Minister Yasmin Catley expressed her sentiments, stating, "A whale has been involved. Whoever would have thought that would have occurred, it's terribly tragic."
State Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib described it as "an absolute freak accident."
Based on police statements, it appears that the boat may have collided with or been impacted by a breaching whale, causing the vessel to tilt and eject both occupants. The specific species of the whale involved in the incident was not identified.
Australia boasts a vast coastline that is home to numerous species of whales, including 10 large and 20 smaller ones. While incidents of human fatalities resulting from interactions with whales are infrequent in the region, Australia and neighboring New Zealand are known for their instances of mass whale strandings on beaches.
In a separate incident in June, eight Danish individuals were rescued when their sailboat capsized in the Pacific Ocean following a collision with one or possibly two whales.
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