Around 100 small whales, identified as short-finned pilot whales, were found washed ashore in Tiruchendur, Tamil Nadu between Monday evening and Tuesday morning. The Times of India reported that the whales cover a 16-kilometre stretch along the coast between the Alanthalai and Kallamozhi hamlets. At least 20 are feared dead.

Fishermen stayed up through the night and attempted to put the living whales back into the sea, but locals say the animals are disoriented and keep washing back onto the shore.

Tuticorin district collector M Ravikumar said officials are investigating the reason for such a huge number of the animals washing up onto the shore, and the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park in Ramanathapuram has sent a team to the area.