Rotting whale carcass sparks fear of explosion

The carcass of a blue whale is rotting along the shoreline of a town on Canada’s east coast, triggering concerns from the community it could explode.

Emily Butler, town clerk in Trout River, Newfoundland, said the 28-yard blue whale is beached next to a community boardwalk and is emitting a powerful stench that is spreading through the town of 600 people.

She said she and others are concerned the methane gas caused by decomposition could cause the animal to burst: “We have a concern . . . because I’m not sure with the heat and gases that are trapped inside of this mammal if, at some point in time, it will explode. I’m told it could only explode if the carcass is punctured or cut. Safety is one issue that we’re concerned with, but whether it explodes or don’t, as our temperatures warm up, there’s going to be an awful smell as it decays.”