A 20-metre blue whale was rescued by tourists and local fishermen after it was stranded on a beach in the city of Iquique in Chile.

Police officials and navy personnel were also roped in into the task. And together they managed to secure the large mammal into a net. The blue whale was then towed away into deeper water by a boat.

Blue whales are largest animals to have lived on earth. Their tongues alone can weigh as much as an elephant while their hearts can weigh as much as a car.

Blue whales are currently classified as endangered on the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List endangered species.

 

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