The mystery of orca whales resurfaces off the coast of Spain: a new incident brings the phenomenon back into the spotlight

Unusual interactions between orcas and boats have come to the forefront again following the sinking of a sailboat off the coast of Spain’s Galicia region, in a new incident that has drawn the attention of the scientific community. The website Live Science reported that the sailboat was attacked by a group of orcas that focused on the rudder, causing it to fail completely and prompting the crew to send out a distress call, before Spanish coast guard forces managed to rescue everyone on board, while the sailboat subsequently sank. Data indicate that more than 700 similar interactions between orcas and boats have been recorded since 2020 in the waters between Spain and Portugal, with a limited number ending in the sinking of boats. Researchers emphasize that this phenomenon is linked to a small group of endangered Iberian orcas and does not represent typical behavior among all whales. Experts also stressed that there is no scientific evidence supporting circulating claims that orcas target humans, noting that the interactions are usually focused on the boat’s rudder and cease once it is disabled. Relevant scientific and Spanish authorities continue to study this phenomenon, while urging boat operators to adhere to safety guidelines and avoid areas where such incidents recur.