JAKARTA

At least 17 whales were found stranded at Kolo Udju beach in Indonesia’s southern East Nusa Tenggara province on Thursday.

An official from Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office said seven of the 17 stranded whales died while 10 others were released back to the sea by the authorities and the locals.

"Seven whales were dead and buried at the beach, while the remaining 10 were pushed into the sea," said Dedy Syamhadi told Anadolu Agency on Friday.

In 2013, there were around 44 whales stranded at Kolo Udju beach, while in 2018 a whale was also stranded at the same location.

Syamhadi said the cause of this phenomenon was unknown but a team from the conservation center has arrived at the site to investigate the incident.