"Jaw-Dropping Encounter: Orcas Tear Rudder from Yacht as Killer Whale Gang Hits Boats Off Spain Once More"

THIS is the disturbing moment orcas rammed into a yacht off the coast of Spain, ripping apart its rudder.

Footage shows the vicious animals – which have earned their nickname “killer whales” – underneath a 13-metre vessel, Seika, and hitting it with their heads near Picamillo, in Galicia.

A massive chunk of the rudder is seen breaking off and floating to the sea surface.

Five Ukrainian crew members aboard the were heard repeatedly shouting, “Oh my God” as the orcas continued terrorising them.

The ambush happened at 7pm on Saturday, after the Ignacio Montenegro Trophy regatta, which involved 30 boats.

Seika was heading towards a port in Baiona when it encountered the four killer whales.

Pieces of polyester were torn away during the attack, reducing the yacht’s ability to steer.

Spain‘s Maritime Rescue service was alerted and a rescue vessel was prepared to assist, but Seika was ultimately able to make its own way back to shore.

None of the five people aboard were injured, but the vessel will require a round of repairs.

The incident comes amid the return to the Galician coast of Iberian orcas associated with the so-called Gladises, a small group of animals known for repeated interactions with sailing boats around Spain and Portugal.

The behaviour began in 2020 and has repeatedly involved orcas targeting the rudders of vessels.

At least nine boats have been toppled in the attacks and 250 more have been damaged.

Overall, more than 700 interactions and attacks have been recorded in the last five years.

Just weeks ago, another yacht sank off the coast of Spain after a pod of .

“A yacht has sunk 1.3 miles from Estaca de Bares as a result of taking on water after an interaction with orcas,” Spanish coastguards said at the time.

“Its two crew members were picked up by a nearby motorboat and are safe.”

A private boat that had rushed to the sailors’ aid tried to tow the yacht back, but were unable to prevent it from being pulled into the depths.

Three other boats reported seeing the pod of beasts on the same day as the incident.