A British boat sailing off the coast of southern Spain was significantly damaged in an attack by orcas, the local maritime rescue service said.
There has been an alarming increase in orca-human interactions in the area, with dozens of recorded incidents this year along the Spanish and Portuguese coasts.
During the early hours of Thursday, the sailing boat Mustique was targeted by a group of the whales, resulting in a severely damaged rudder and pierced hull.
The crew of the Mustique shared striking images on social media that vividly display the severe damage inflicted by the orcas.
The four crew members contacted Spanish authorities, who carried out a rescue operation.
“What started off as a seemingly unique encounter ended with orcas breaking our rudder off the boat, then proceeding to tear off bits of the boat for over an hour,” recounted April Boyes, one of the Mustique's crew members.
“A huge hole in the hull meant we had water ingress to other parts of the boat and the engine room. I can honestly say it was a scary experience.”
A rapid-response vessel and a helicopter, equipped with a bilge pump, were sent to assist the 20-metre vessel.
The Mustique was towed to the port of Barbate in the province of Cadiz for necessary repairs.
Ms Boyes said: “The authorities told us there have been four rudders torn off this week alone. We are all safe, I'm feeling grateful for the coastguard.”
Data from the research group GTOA, which monitors the Iberian orca subspecies, shows at least 20 interactions between orcas and small vessels in the Strait of Gibraltar this month.
In 2022, a total of 207 interactions were reported.
In a previous incident this month, the sailing yacht Alboran Champagne was damaged by orcas. It was unable to be towed owing to extensive flooding and was left adrift to sink.
Another yacht was pursued by orcas during poor weather off the Moroccan coast this month.
British tourists on board feared the worst as the killer whales bumped into the 20-metre vessel for over an hour. They were eventually able to return safely to port.
The Spanish Transport Ministry issued guidelines advising ships to vacate the area at the first sign of abnormal behaviour from the orcas, such as sudden changes in direction or speed.
Any interaction with an orca must be reported to authorities.
Mature orcas can be eight metres long and weigh up to six tonnes. Experts suspect the increase in interactions may be due to a surge in marine life in the Strait of Gibraltar.
Mimicry or misunderstanding?
The recent increase in aggressive orca encounters has been linked to an orca named Gladis, believed to have initiated this type of interaction.
Werner Schaufelberger, a vessel captain, recounted younger orcas mimicking the older orca's aggressive ramming tactics during an encounter.
The boat Mr Schaufelberger commanded sustained serious damage and sank at Barbate's port entrance after a rescue by the Spanish coastguard.
Alfredo Lopez Fernandez, a biologist and Atlantic Orca working group representative, told science news website Live Science that Gladis's aggressive behaviour was a learnt response that other orcas were now imitating, rather than an act of revenge.
Other theories range from territorial and defensive behaviour to simple playfulness to explain the orcas' actions.
Spanish authorities have reported an increase in aggressive orca encounters since May 2020, leading to restrictions on boating from certain areas.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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3.
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UAE
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4.
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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6.
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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Honeymoonish
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The specs
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Despacito's dominance in numbers
Released: 2017
Peak chart position: No.1 in more than 47 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Lebanon
Views: 5.3 billion on YouTube
Sales: With 10 million downloads in the US, Despacito became the first Latin single to receive Diamond sales certification
Streams: 1.3 billion combined audio and video by the end of 2017, making it the biggest digital hit of the year.
Awards: 17, including Record of the Year at last year’s prestigious Latin Grammy Awards, as well as five Billboard Music Awards
How to volunteer
The UAE volunteers campaign can be reached at www.volunteers.ae , or by calling 800-VOLAE (80086523), or emailing info@volunteers.ae.
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
CREW
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Wonka
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Our legal advisor
Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation.
Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
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- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
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- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Formula One top 10 drivers' standings after Japan
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 306
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 234
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 192
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 148
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 111
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 82
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 65
9. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 48
10. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault 34
RESULT
Al Hilal 4 Persepolis 0
Khribin (31', 54', 89'), Al Shahrani 40'
Red card: Otayf (Al Hilal, 49')
Afcon 2019
SEMI-FINALS
Senegal v Tunisia, 8pm
Algeria v Nigeria, 11pm
Matches are live on BeIN Sports
Results
4pm: Al Bastakiya – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Dirt) 1,900m; Winner: Panadol, Mickael Barzalona (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer)
4.35pm: Dubai City Of Gold – Group 2 (TB) $228,000 (Turf) 2,410m; Winner: Walton Street, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
5.10pm: Mahab Al Shimaal – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Canvassed, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Midnight Sands, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta – Group 1 (TB) $260,000 (T) 1,800m; Winner: Lord Glitters, Daniel Tudhope, David O’Meara
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 – Group 1 (TB) $390,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
7.30pm: Nad Al Sheba – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Final Song, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
The Al Barzakh Festival takes place on Wednesday and Thursday at 7.30pm in the Red Theatre, NYUAD, Saadiyat Island. Tickets cost Dh105 for adults from platinumlist.net
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LIGUE 1 FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Friday
Nice v Angers (9pm)
Lille v Monaco (10.45pm)
Saturday
Montpellier v Paris Saint-Germain (7pm)
Bordeaux v Guingamp (10pm)
Caen v Amiens (10pm)
Lyon v Dijon (10pm)
Metz v Troyes (10pm)
Sunday
Saint-Etienne v Rennes (5pm)
Strasbourg v Nantes (7pm)
Marseille v Toulouse (11pm)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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