Whale capsizes boat, five dead in Zealand

2022-09-11 19:54:44Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

Whale capsizes boat, five dead in Zealand

Five people have died off the coast of New Zealand after their boat collided with a whale when it surfaced.

The boat was taking tourists on a bird-watching trip near the South Island town of Kaikura when the accident happened.

Local residents said it was unlikely the boat had hit debris because there was no damage to its hull.

Instead, there was speculation that she had been capsized by a large whale.

Nearly half of the world's whale and dolphin species are found in New Zealand waters, including sperm whales, humpback whales and southern right whales.

Eleven people, including the captain, were on board when it capsized on Saturday in Goose Bay, near Kaikura.

Craig Mackle, the town's mayor, said sea conditions at the time were perfect and officials believed a whale had appeared under the boat, causing it to capsize.

A local, Kevin Anderson, said he spotted a whale 200-300 meters away from the boat after it capsized.

 


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