A whale estimated to weigh 15 tons is stranded at a beach in Nghe An Province's Dien Thinh Commune on May 25, 2016.
© Pham Duc/Thanh NienA whale estimated to weigh 15 tons is stranded at a beach in Nghe An Province's Dien Thinh Commune on May 25, 2016.
A whale weighing around seven tons was found dead this morning in Nghe An Province where another large whale drifted ashore and was rescued two days ago.

Cao Hieu, chairman of Dien Thinh Commune in Dien Chau District, told Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper that he was informed by some locals of the dead whale after they saw its carcass floating around one kilometer from the shore.

The fishers estimated that the whale was 10 meters long, he said.

The whale will be brought ashore for burial, according to Hieu.

Early on Wednesday, another whale estimated to weigh 15 tons washed ashore here. Residents found the mammal alive, struggling to return to the sea.

More than 20 rescuers were sent to the site and they used two excavators to remove sand to help bring the beached whale back to the sea.

Thousands of locals flocked to the site and watched the rescue

At noon, the whale was successfully saved.

Rescuers said the whale looked weak at that time, but they checked the spot where it was released one day later and found it was not there anymore. Locals believed these were two different whales.

Around 10 whales were found dead or stranded on Nghe An beaches over the last five months, raising concerns among fishers.

Vietnamese people traditionally revere whales and consider them guardians of fisherfolk.