Kayaker Survives Remarkable Encounter with Humpback Whale off Chilean Coast

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In a surreal incident along the Strait of Magellan, Venezuelan kayaker Adrián Simancas, 23, was accidentally engulfed by a humpback whale while paddling with his father, Dell. As described to BBC Mundo, Simancas first noticed a "slimy texture" as he realized he was inside the whale's mouth. Miraculously, he was expelled moments later without injury.

The encounter occurred near Eagle Bay, close to Punta Arenas, when Simancas felt a force pulling him, submerged briefly before surfacing. His father captured this extraordinary moment on camera. According to Brazilian conservationist Roched Jacobson Seba, humpback whales cannot swallow large objects, suggesting that Simancas was accidentally caught while the whale was feeding.

The experience left Simancas contemplating his near-death ordeal, which he described as a "second chance." Seba emphasized the need for caution, advising that quieter vessels, such as kayaks and paddleboards, be avoided in areas frequented by whales to prevent such accidents.

This remarkable incident highlights the close encounter humans can have with marine life, even in treacherous waters.

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