45 whales die after southern India stranding

epa05098442 Pilot whales are seen swept ashore on a beach near Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India, 12 Janaury 2016. Over 50 pilot whales became stranded on beaches in India's southern state of Tamil Nadu overnight, officials said. The beached whales were found near coastal villages over a 25-kilometre stretch, said M Ravi Kumar, the top administrator of Tuticorin district. At least four of them had died. EPA/STR

CHENNAI, India: Forty five whales have died after stranding themselves on a southern Indian beach, a government official said Tuesday, with local fishermen struggling to save others.

The pod of whales started beaching themselves on Monday afternoon along a 15-kilometre (9-mile) stretch of coast near Tiruchendur on India’s southernmost tip.