Whale stranded on Makian island`s coast, North Maluku

Ternate, North Maluku (ANTARA News) - A 10-meter-long whale ran aground on the Peleri coast of Makian Island, Halmahera Selatan District, North Maluku, on Sunday (Oct. 28).

When local people found the whale it was still alive and shaking its body in an attempt to return to the sea, Ismet T, a local fisherman of Makian Island, said here on Monday.

The villagers then tried to help the animal by pushing it to the sea but their efforts were in vain as the whale with a diameter of three meters was too huge, he said.

"After lying on the beach for a few hours, the whale finally died. Whales are often spotted in Makian Island waters but it`s for the first time a 10-meter long whale got stranded on Makian Island`s coast," Ismet said.

It was not known how the whale became stranded but it was believed the giant mammal had lost its way on the many tiny isles around Makian Island.

Ismet said Makian residents believed the stranded whale was a sign that a tsunami might hit the area which has been jolted by frequent earthquakes lately.