Orcas Sink Yacht Off Galicia and Cripple Another in Separate Attack
Galicia, Spain
WeWhale & Iberian Orca Guardians/Reuters
What Happened
What Happened
Timeline
July 24, 2026
Friday attack off A Coruña and response: On Friday a pod of killer whales rammed another sailing vessel off the coast of A Coruña, with the alarm raised just after 1:15pm when the boat was about 20 kilometres northwest of Punta Candelaria near Celeiro; the CCS Finisterre coordinated responses and rescue vessels and helicopters (including Shaula, Alioth and Helimer 401) were mobilised alongside local boats such as the Peniche-based Silmar.
July 23, 2026
Multiple yachts crippled or towed: A 14-metre Swedish-flagged yacht (Vai) had its rudder smashed and issued a Mayday before being towed toward Celeiro by the vessel Mar de Galicia, while other sailing yachts (including Glatisant and Nova Vida) were left adrift or reached shore with rudder damage and were assisted or towed to Viveiro or Cariño by coastguard vessels.
July 23, 2026
Dramatic yacht sinking off Estaca de Bares: Around 5pm on Thursday just over a mile off Estaca de Bares footage showed an orca repeatedly striking a sailboat which then took on water and sank 1.3 miles from Estaca de Bares; crew were rescued after abandoning ship into a life raft and a military helicopter winched survivors from a fishing vessel that had come to their aid.
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Timeline
July 24, 2026
Friday attack off A Coruña and response: On Friday a pod of killer whales rammed another sailing vessel off the coast of A Coruña, with the alarm raised just after 1:15pm when the boat was about 20 kilometres northwest of Punta Candelaria near Celeiro; the CCS Finisterre coordinated responses and rescue vessels and helicopters (including Shaula, Alioth and Helimer 401) were mobilised alongside local boats such as the Peniche-based Silmar.
July 23, 2026
Multiple yachts crippled or towed: A 14-metre Swedish-flagged yacht (Vai) had its rudder smashed and issued a Mayday before being towed toward Celeiro by the vessel Mar de Galicia, while other sailing yachts (including Glatisant and Nova Vida) were left adrift or reached shore with rudder damage and were assisted or towed to Viveiro or Cariño by coastguard vessels.
July 23, 2026
Dramatic yacht sinking off Estaca de Bares: Around 5pm on Thursday just over a mile off Estaca de Bares footage showed an orca repeatedly striking a sailboat which then took on water and sank 1.3 miles from Estaca de Bares; crew were rescued after abandoning ship into a life raft and a military helicopter winched survivors from a fishing vessel that had come to their aid.
