Whale Hit By State Ferry Near Seattle

SEATTLE, WA — A whale was hit by a Bainbridge Island-bound state ferry Tuesday night, and officials were still searching for the injured or dead animal as of Wednesday morning, according to reports.

The incident happened just after the ferry left Seattle at around 8:15 p.m., according to reports. Passengers saw the whale surface just a few feet in front of the ferry before it was hit. The ferry continued on to its destination and was apparently not damaged, according to reports.

Experts believe the ferry hit a humpback whale, although initial reports said it was gray whale.

The incident comes amid a grim time for whale deaths. At least 18 gray whales have been found dead in Washington so far in 2019, with six in May alone, according to Crosscut.

The Coast Guard and NOAA are searching for the whale. Some witnesses reported seeing a whale surrounded by birds in Elliott Bay near Pier 66, according to KIRO 7.