A massive 6.5ton fin whale washed up in Valencia, Spain, on Monday (16 Feb), with its carcass stretching an incredible 9metres. However the beast’s cause of death remains unknown
A massive dead 30ft whale washed up at a beach in a Brit holiday hotspot- and its cause of death remains a mystery.
The giant creature was discovered at the entrance to the Real Club Náutico de Valencia, Spain, around midday on Monday (16 Feb). The carcass stretched an incredible 9m and tipped the scales at roughly 6.5 tonnes. Experts identified it as a female fin whale (balaenoptera physalus), the globe’s second-biggest cetacean species behind the blue whale.
The animal was dragged to the shoreline where a massive crane hoisted the enormous mammal onto land. Vets inspected the carcass and discovered no bruising or internal bleeding typical of a boat strike – the leading cause of mortality in this species.
Tissue samples were collected and dispatched to the histopathology unit at Universidad CEU San Pablo, plus Universidad Complutense de Madrid, for additional testing. The whale’s remains were subsequently placed on a truck and taken to a crematorium for incineration.
Fin whales inhabit all major oceans worldwide, spanning from polar to tropical regions. Despite their extensive habitat range, they’re listed as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Their “vulnerable” status is the result of lasting effects of commercial whaling and sluggish population bounce-back. The largest fin whale on record stretched to a staggering 27m in size.
L’Oceanogràfic in Valencia, Spain – the largest oceanarium and aquarium in Europe – has called the discovery as “a striking reminder of the rich biodiversity found in our sea”.
The oceanarium stated: “Although fin whales are a regular presence in the Mediterranean, the discovery of one dead underlines the need to continue researching and taking action to protect marine ecosystems.
“The cause of death remains unknown, and the post-mortem examination will be crucial in determining what happened and helping to strengthen conservation efforts.”
The Daily Star previously reported on a staggering 9ft long great white shark dubbed “Brass Bed” which was spotted off the coast of a popular holiday location.
The hefty 433-lb juvenile female was originally tagged back in October 2025 near Mahone Bay in Nova Scotia and pinged on February 7 northeast of Cape Canaveral.
John Tyminski, Senior Data Scientist at OCEARCH, explained that this sighting is part of a typical winter migration route for these creatures, which is proving to be far more extensive than previously thought.
Now spotted off the coast of Merritt Island, Florida, the mysterious movements of Brass Bed are providing scientists with new insights into the behaviour and winter habitats of great white sharks. Tyminski said: “This is a common route that we see with white sharks at this time of year.” He added: “The overwintering area generally extends from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and then along the East Coast, and also into the Gulf of Mexico.”
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