Marine rescuers, the coast guard, and the police were called to the scene on Traigh Mhor beach in northwest Scotland early Sunday morning. Upon arrival, they found that only 15 of the whales were still alive.

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) attempted to assist two of the more active whales by refloating them in the water.

“At about 3:30pm, the local vet along with the Coastguard, Fire and Rescue, and a forensics vet came to the conclusion that the shallow beach and rough sea conditions made it too unsafe to refloat the remaining animals. Also, considering how long the pilot whales had been out of the water, it was decided the remaining whales should be euthanized on welfare grounds,” the BDMLR said.

It is speculated that the entire pod may have followed a female whale onto the beach, potentially due to complications during her birthing process. Pilot whales are known for their strong social bonds, often resulting in other members following a stranded individual.

Post-mortem examinations are scheduled to begin on Monday to investigate the cause of the whales' deaths. Experts aim to determine the factors behind this devastating incident, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding the tragic mass stranding.

The incident is a reminder of the fragility of marine life and the importance of protecting our oceans. (ILKHA)