A large dead whale has washed ashore on the beach of Kutubdia in Cox’s Bazar.
The whale was found around 9:00 pm on Saturday (March 7) on the western beach of South Dhurung union in Kutubdia upazila. Due to the strong stench spreading from the carcass, local authorities later buried the whale in the sand.
Quoting local fishermen, South Dhurung union parishad chairman Alauddin Al Azad said the fishermen first spotted the whale while fishing in the Bay of Bengal. Several fishing trawlers then attempted to tow the massive animal closer to the Kutubdia coast using ropes.
“They later realised the whale was already dead and emitting a strong smell, so they left it floating near the coast. Later, the tide carried the carcass to the sand dunes of the western Kutubdia beach, where it became stranded,” he said.
The chairman said the whale’s body gradually swelled as decomposition progressed. “Various gases, including hydrogen and other harmful gases, build up in the carcass, causing a strong odour that can pose health risks to nearby residents. Considering this, we took immediate action,” he said.
An excavator was used to dig a pit in the sand dunes, and after about an hour of effort, the whale was buried.
Alauddin Al Azad said the whale had swollen significantly, and its weight was estimated at more than two to three tonnes, with a length of about five to six metres.
Kutubdia police station inspector Mahbubul Haque said the police were initially unaware of the incident.
“Later at night, we learned that a dead whale had washed ashore on the western beach of Kutubdia. As the carcass was spreading a foul smell, the local chairman and residents buried it in the sand,” he said.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report
Photo: Courtesy
