{
  "id": 18965903,
  "title": "Video: Giant whale sighting sparks debate in Hurghada",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/video-giant-whale-sighting-sparks-debate-in-hurghada",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-08T14:38:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Egypt Independent",
    "slug": "egypt-independent",
    "url": "https://www.egyptindependent.com/video-giant-whale-sighting-sparks-debate-in-hurghada/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An enormous whale sighting near Umm Qamar Island, situated north of Hurghada, has ignited controversy among marine professionals and conservation advocates. Videos and pictures posted by divers and sailors have captured the creature in its momentary appearance during a tourist excursion. Fervent speculation points to it being either a fin whale, locally known as \"al-Battan,\" or a blue whale. The General Administration of Red Sea Protected Areas has yet to document this event, leaving eyewitnesses claiming to have seen a colossal whale, but authorities cautious, citing insufficient verified evidence. This has led to questions about whether a giant whale truly appeared in the Red Sea and if the circulating visuals are adequate for scientifically identifying the species. A boat captain, Mahmoud Shazly, who filmed one of the circulating videos, shared insights into the incident. He recounted taking a group of four German tourists on a snorkeling expedition in the al-Erq area when, while sailing, a massive whale suddenly emerged in the water near Umm Qamar Island. The event occurred around 2:00 PM, captivating the tourists who promptly documented the moment through photographs and video footage. Several individuals engaged in marine-related activities hypothesized the whale might be a blue whale or a fin whale, based on its size and the visual depiction in the video. However, to definitively identify the species, an expert analysis of the photographs and videos would be necessary. Meanwhile, the General Administration of Red Sea Protected Areas has dismissed any official confirmation or documented evidence supporting the whale's presence, stating that no official reports of a blue or fin whale sighting in the area have been received. The administration emphasized the need for caution and precision, discouraging the drawing of firm conclusions about the marine creature's species until a scientific verification of the recorded footage is conducted. The fin whale, locally known as \"al-Battan,\" is the second-largest creature on Earth, surpassed only by the blue whale. It is a member of the baleen whale family, which employs specialized plates inside the mouth to filter water and extract food, occasionally surfacing to breathe. The Red Sea's waters have previously witnessed sightings of various whale species, notably the humpback whale in regions of Marsa Alam and Al-Qusair.",
  "summary": "The appearance of a massive whale near Umm Qamar Island, north of Hurghada, stirred debate among those working in marine-related sectors and marine life enthusiasts. Divers and sailors have circulated videos and photographs documenting the creature’s appearance during a tourist excursion. Speculation suggests it could be a fin whale, locally referred to as “al-Battan,” or … The post Video: Giant…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}