Humpback whale trapped by ropes in Scotland feared dead

Rescuers fear that trapped whale has died

LONDON — Rescuers working to save a humpback whale entangled in ropes near a remote Scottish island say they fear the mammal has died.

Scottish National Heritage says that a team of experts sent to free the whale could not find it on Friday — meaning it may have died and sunk to the bottom of the sea, or managed to escape from the creel lines.

The humpback was first sighted near the Shetland coast in northeast Scotland early Thursday. It is estimated to be around 40 feet (12 meters) long and to weigh 30 tons (33 short tons).

British Divers Marine Life Rescue told the BBC the whale had become weakened after struggling with the ropes and dragging the creel pots around, and may have drowned.