Canada fishing community fears exploding whale

Ottawa (AFP) - A tiny fishing community in Canada's island province of Newfoundland faced an unusual threat Tuesday: a giant blue whale that washed up onto its shores may explode.

The massive mammal is one of nine endangered blue whales that is believed to have died in heavy ice off Canada's Atlantic coast several weeks ago.

It washed up on the rocks just below Trout River's boardwalk on Friday where it has attracted crowds of fascinated onlookers and officials seeking to assess the danger.

"It's sitting on our beach and filling up with (methane) gases, and there is a concern that it can explode," town manager Emily Butler told AFP.

http://news.yahoo.com/canada-fishing-community-fears-exploding-whale-145611712.html