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Belgian sailor seriously injured following killer whale attack off Spain
The sailboat was towed to safety off the Galicia coast after a complicated rescue mission
A Belgian sailor was seriously injured on Sunday August 25 when a group of orcas, also known as killer whales, attacked a sailboat off the rugged coast of northwestern Spain. The incident, which occurred near the O Roncudo lighthouse in Galicia, is the latest in a series of alarming encounters between orcas and vessels in the region.
The sailboat, named Amidala, was navigating the treacherous waters of Costa da Morte when it came under attack. The orcas repeatedly rammed the vessel, causing significant damage to its rudder and leaving the crew unable to steer. With rough seas and winds reaching 35 knots, the situation quickly escalated into a life-threatening emergency.
On board were two experienced Belgian crew members, a man and a woman, who sent out a mayday at around 4pm to Spain's maritime rescue service in Cape Finisterre. The rescue operation was particularly challenging due to the harsh weather conditions, with waves reaching heights of 2-3 metres at times.
The female crew member sustained a serious hand injury while her sailboat was being towed to safety. The injured sailor was transferred to the rescue vessel Salvamar Altair and then airlifted by the Helimer 402 helicopter to Alvedro Airport.
The sailboat, Amidala, was eventually towed to the port of Camariñas, arriving around 9.20pm after a delayed journey due to the rough seas.This attack is part of a troubling trend. Just last week, the experts predicted a surge in whale activity along the Galician coast and according to the GTOA research group, hundreds of similar interactions have been recorded since 2020, raising concerns about the safety of vessels navigating these waters.
But while damage to boats has become commonplace, people are very rarely injured as a result of the encounters.
Last month, a crew of three British sailors was rescued off the coast of Gibraltar after their yacht, the Bonhomme William, was attacked by a pod of five killer whales, and sank between the southern Spanish towns of Tarifa and Barbate.
Also of interest: VIDEO: Spanish sailors use deadly blades to deter endangered whales
Images: Salvamento Marítimo
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