The appearance of a massive whale near Umm Qamar Island, north of Hurghada, stirred debate among those working in marine-related sectors and marine life enthusiasts.
Divers and sailors have circulated videos and photographs documenting the creature’s appearance during a tourist excursion.
Speculation suggests it could be a fin whale, locally referred to as “al-Battan,” or perhaps a blue whale.
The General Administration of Red Sea Protected Areas said that there is no official, documented record of the incident.
With eyewitnesses insisting that a giant whale was indeed spotted in the area, while the relevant authorities remain cautious, citing a lack of verified information, questions have arisen as to whether one of the ocean’s largest creatures truly appeared in the Red Sea, and whether the circulating footage is sufficient to scientifically identify the species.
An incredible sighting
A boat captain in Hurghada and the person who filmed one of the circulating videos, Mahmoud Shazly revealed several details of the incident.
He explained that he was taking four German tourists on a snorkeling trip in the al-Erq area when, while sailing, a massive whale suddenly appeared in the water near Umm Qamar Island.
Shazly noted that the encounter took place around 2:00 PM, leaving tourists both astonished – they made sure to document the moment by capturing photos and videos.
Several individuals working in marine-related activities suggested that the whale could be a blue whale or a fin whale, based on its size and appearance in the video footage; however, a definitive identification would require an expert analysis of the images and videos.
Conversely, the General Administration of Red Sea Protected Areas has denied the existence of any official confirmation or documented information verifying the whale’s appearance, noting that no formal reports regarding the sighting of a blue or fin whale in the area have been received.
The administration explained that attempts to contact the person who filmed the video failed to establish the location or timing of the footage.
It emphasized the importance of exercising caution and accuracy, urging against drawing firm conclusions about the species of the marine creature before a scientific verification of the recorded footage conducted.
Second-largest animal on earth
The fin whale, known locally as “al-Battan,” is the second-largest animal on Earth, surpassed only by the blue whale.
It belongs to the baleen whale family, which uses specialized plates inside the mouth to filter water and extract food – these whales also periodically surface to breathe.
The waters of the Red Sea have previously been home to sightings of various whale species, particularly the humpback whale in the areas of Marsa Alam and Al-Qusair.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
