A pod of killer whales sank a yacht off the coast of Portugal (3 photos + 1 video)

Off the coast of Portugal's Costa de Caparica, killer whales attacked a yacht carrying tourists. Footage shows the killer whales chasing the vessel before violently ramming it. The crew panics, and the yachtsman screams, "Oh my God, what's happening!"





The incident occurred off Fonte da Telha beach on Saturday, September 13.

The vessel listed and slowly sank. According to the National Maritime Authority, the sailboat belonged to the Nautic Squad club. There were five people on board; no one was injured.



That same day, killer whales attacked another yacht north of Cascais. All nine people on board the two vessels were rescued by nearby tour boats before rescuers arrived.

Bernardo Queiroz, manager of the Mercedes-Benz Oceanic Lounge, said he was watching dolphins when he suddenly noticed strange movements on another vessel. As he approached, he saw four killer whales circling the yacht.

Queroz rescued five people; Nautic Squad attempted to tow the vessel, but to no avail. It sank shortly thereafter.



Eyewitness accounts vary: some saw a pod of four killer whales, while others claim that just one rammed the hull two or three times.

From 2020 to 2023, approximately 500 killer whale attacks were recorded in this region. No one was injured, but 20% of vessels were damaged, and several were sunk.

Last month, sailors were advised not to sail after a series of killer whale attacks off the coast of Spain.