Operation underway to remove 40ft dead whale from Essex beach

The whale was first spotted by locals at around 5.30am on Friday

An operation is underway to remove a 40ft long dead whale from a beach in Essex.

The large mammal, which is believed to be a fin whale, washed up on the shore at Clacton-on-Sea on Friday and the area has since been cordoned off.

It was first seen in shallow water at around 5.30am, locals said.

Essex Police has advised the public to stay away while authorities plan on how to remove the whale.

The force said it is working organisations, including the “Big Blue Ocean Cleanup”, to remove it.

A 40ft-long whale that has washed up on the beach at Clacton-on-Sea in Essex (PA)

Essex Police wrote in a Facebook post: “Sadly a 40ft whale has been washed up on Clacton this morning.

“We are currently in attendance with other organisations and discussions are under way on how to remove her.

“The area is cordoned off and the public are advised to stay away. #SocialDistancing #StayAlert."

A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said officers were called to a report of a “large object” on the beach, later confirmed to be a dead whale, just after 5.30am.

“Removal of the carcass is the responsibility of the beach owner,” the charity said in a Facebook post.

“In the meantime we strongly advise people to avoid going near it as there is a risk of contracting an infection from contact with its bodily fluids or the body itself.”

Fin whales are the second-largest mammals on Earth after the blue whale, and are classed as an endangered species.

They can grow up to 80ft in length, but the British Divers Marine Life Rescue charity said this particular whale was “actually rather small for the species” and was therefore likely to be a juvenile.