A rescue effort was launched on Thursday after dozens of pilot whales beached with volunteers working together to save the mammals.

Some local residents also helped out wading into the ankle deep water to help push them into the sea.

The governor told Reuters that authorities plan to bury the dead whales on Saturday once the tide receipts and said two excavators had been brought in.

It is not fully understood why whales which traveled together in pods speech themselves, but they are known to follow a leader as well as gather around and injured or distressed.