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Spain banned sailing for 100 kilometers on its northwest coast after several sailboats were damaged by killer whales that struck their hulls.
The Spanish transport ministry has issued a week-long ban on vessels under 15 meters in length since Tuesday night.
Authorities said the area covered by the ban could be extended, depending on “whale migration routes.”
Sailboats can leave the port to enter the open sea between the Priorino Grande and Punta de Estaca de Bares cables, but they must not stay near the coast in the extreme northwest of the country.
The ministry said the first reported incident occurred on August 19.
Since then, an unspecified number of sailboats have been damaged by killer whales, with some needing the assistance of the marine rescue service after their rudders were destroyed.
Spanish television showed images captured by sailors of groups of killer whales swimming very close to their boats.
So far, no injuries related to these incidents have been reported.
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