The carcass of Timmy the whale off the coast of Denmark could explode at any moment. Marine biologist Fabian Ritter told the dpa agency, UNN reports.
"The pressure inside continues to build, and at some point, the animal could explode with a massive bang," Ritter stated.
He recalled that similar incidents have occurred before. For instance, in 2004, a sperm whale exploded while being transported through the Taiwanese city of Tainan for an autopsy. As a result, internal organs and the rest of the carcass contents were scattered across the street and surrounding buildings.
In the case of Timmy's carcass, the risk is particularly high, Ritter notes. Judging by the photos, the whale's throat sac has swollen significantly and resembles a balloon.
The biologist emphasizes that the risk of explosion could have been reduced if the carcass had been punctured or cut open. However, such an intervention should have been carried out much earlier. Nevertheless, a less dramatic outcome is also possible: if a natural tear forms in the tissues, allowing the accumulated gases to escape.
Timmy the whale found dead off the coast of Denmark16.05.26, 19:16
Earlier, Danish authorities reported that they would attempt to transport the whale to the mainland early next week to conduct an autopsy and take samples.