A German rescue team on Thursday used heavy machinery, including two excavators, in a determined effort to save a stranded humpback whale by carving a path back to deeper waters.
The approximately 10-metre (33-foot) long humpback whale was first spotted on Monday near Niendorf, close to the northern city of Lübeck, prompting an urgent multi-day rescue operation.
Rescuers worked against time to dig a channel through a sandbank, hoping to create a passage that would allow the whale to return to open sea. The operation drew attention from marine experts and local authorities, who coordinated efforts to keep the animal stable while machinery was brought in.
Officials described the situation as critical, noting that prolonged stranding poses serious risks to large marine mammals due to their weight and dehydration. The rescue attempt highlights both the challenges and urgency involved in responding to such rare coastal incidents.
