What was supposed to be a peaceful day on the water quickly turned into a nightmare for two groups of sailors off the coast of Portugal.
A pod of orcas, also known as killer whales, launched unexpected attacks on two yachts—sinking one and leaving the other badly damaged.
First Yacht Targeted During Dolphin Search
The first vessel, carrying five passengers, had set out to spot dolphins. Instead, it found itself in a frightening standoff with orcas.
According to witnesses, the whales repeatedly rammed the hull until the yacht began to list dangerously. Eventually, the vessel sank.
Footage captured the shocking scene, showing passengers tossed into the ocean before being rescued by another nearby ship.
Thankfully, everyone survived the ordeal.
Second Yacht Escapes with Damage
Not long after, a second yacht carrying four people was targeted near Cascais, a coastal town west of Lisbon.
Orcas once again tried to overturn the boat, but this time the vessel managed to stay afloat.
It was later towed to safety at the port. Like the first attack, no injuries were reported, though passengers were left shaken.
Confusion Over Number of Orcas
Eyewitness accounts differ on how many orcas were involved.
Some insist that four whales participated in the coordinated strikes, while others believe the chaos may have been caused by a single aggressive orca.
A Pattern of Attacks in Iberian Waters
This incident isn’t an isolated one. In recent years, there’s been a noticeable rise in orca encounters with boats along the Iberian coast.
Scientists are puzzled by the shift in behavior.
Marine biologists continue to investigate why these intelligent predators are increasingly targeting vessels in the Atlantic.
Some suggest it could be linked to changes in food availability, learned behavior within pods, or stress caused by human activity in the region.
What Comes Next?
For now, authorities and researchers are urging sailors to stay alert when navigating these waters.
With incidents becoming more frequent, the big question remains: are orcas adapting to a new pattern of interaction with humans, or is this a temporary anomaly?