Pod of 26 pilot whales in mass stranding off coast of Fife

Sixteen whales have died in a mass stranding off the coast of Fife in Scotland.

Sixteen whales have died in a mass stranding off the coast of Fife in Scotland.

The mammals were part of a group of 26 pilot whales stranded at Pittenweem, near St Andrews.

The remaining whales are being kept alive by vets from British Divers and Marine Life Rescue, with help from the emergency services including Fife fire service.

The 10 were refloated by rescue service volunteers, with two having turned back into the harbour and the rest waiting at the harbour entrance.

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Forth Coastguard was alerted to the incident shortly after 7am yesterday, with initial reports suggesting a mass stranding of dolphins. Teams of volunteer medics were sent to the area, with specialist rescue pontoons being moved to the location from across Scotland, Newcastle and Cumbria.

Another 24 pilot whales from the same pod were in the shallows three miles further east along the coast at Cellardyke.

– (PA)