Man Dies in Australia after Whale Collides with Boat

The full moon, a supermoon also known as the "Harvest Moon", rises above Macquarie Lighthouse and the Sydney Opera House in Sydney on September 29, 2023. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)
The full moon, a supermoon also known as the "Harvest Moon", rises above Macquarie Lighthouse and the Sydney Opera House in Sydney on September 29, 2023. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)
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Man Dies in Australia after Whale Collides with Boat

The full moon, a supermoon also known as the "Harvest Moon", rises above Macquarie Lighthouse and the Sydney Opera House in Sydney on September 29, 2023. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)
The full moon, a supermoon also known as the "Harvest Moon", rises above Macquarie Lighthouse and the Sydney Opera House in Sydney on September 29, 2023. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)

One man died and another was in hospital on Saturday in Australia after a whale struck and flipped their boat during a fishing expedition, authorities said.

Police said one man was pulled unconscious from Botany Bay, off the coast of Sydney, and later died, while the other was taken to hospital in a stable condition, police said.

"A whale has been involved, whoever would have thought that that would have occurred, it's terribly tragic," said New South Wales Police Minister Yasmin Catley.

According to Reuters, State Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib said it was "an absolute freak accident".

The boat "was likely to have struck or been impacted by a whale breaching, causing the boat to tilt, ejecting both men", police said in a statement. It did not identify the whale's species.

Australia's extensive coastline hosts 10 large and 20 smaller species of whales. While human deaths caused by whales in the region are rare, Australia and neighboring New Zealand are hot spots for mass whale strandings on beaches.

Eight Danes were rescued in June when their sailboat capsized in the Pacific Ocean after a collision with one or two whales.



Saudi Students Compete in 57th International Chemistry Olympiad in Dubai

Saudi Flag / File/Reuters
Saudi Flag / File/Reuters
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Saudi Students Compete in 57th International Chemistry Olympiad in Dubai

Saudi Flag / File/Reuters
Saudi Flag / File/Reuters

Saudi students are participating in the 57th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO), the world’s largest high school chemistry competition, currently taking place in Dubai through July 14, bringing together over 300 students from around the world.

The scientific team has finalized the review and translation of the practical exam for the Saudi students, who are preparing to take their first test on Tuesday, SPA reported.

This year, the Kingdom is represented by a team of four male and female students who have undergone thousands of hours of intensive training under the supervision of the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba), in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education.

Saudi Arabia has earned a total of 45 awards in its past participations in IChO, which has been held annually in a different country since its launch in 1968. These include 15 silver medals, 28 bronze medals, and two certificates of appreciation.