COPENHAGEN, (UPI) -- A flock of 16 sperm whales was found dead along the sandy beaches of Romo island off the west coast of Denmark early Wednesday, Danish public television reported.
It was the largest number of whales ever found beached on the Danish coastline, the report said.
The 10-meter long (33 feet) marine mammals presumably ran aground in the offshore shallows while searching for food, Thyge Jensen of the Fisheries and Maritime Museum in the west coast port of Esbjerg was quoted as saying.
Judging by the gas found in their carcasses, the whales had been dead for at least four days, he said. Adult sperm whales can measure up to 20 meters (66 feet) in length and weigh 50 tons.