RIYADH: More than 40 dolphins beached in northwest Saudi Arabia due to heavy winds and unstable weather have been rescued but seven others died, official news agency SPA said on Friday.

SPA said they had been driven into shallow waters and ashore this week in Khor al-Thuqba on the Red Sea.

Environment ministry staff, border guards, municipality workers, civil defence members and volunteers took part in the rescue, SPA said, guiding and moving the dolphins by hand from white sandy beaches into deeper waters.

Members of the Border Guards, Umluj municipality, Civil Defence and some volunteers took part in the rescue operation.

The dolphins were stranded in shallow water due to strong winds, making it difficult for them to swim back to the sea.

Local residents informed the officials about the presence of dolphins in shallow waters.

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2021