MASS WHALE POD TRAGEDY

Orkneys beaching is Scotland's biggest in decades

- RYAN CARROLL

A POD of 77 pilot whales has washed ashore in what is thought to be the biggest mass stranding for decades.

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue said 12 of the animals at Tresness Beach on the island of Sanday, in Orkney, were still alive - but it was unlikely they could be saved. The male pilot whales are up to seven metres long, but the group included females and juveniles too.

Yesterday experts said it was too early to know what caused the stranding - however it is likely one of the whales got into trouble and the rest of the pod tried to help.

The public was asked to stay away from the area while assessments and rescue efforts took place.