Miraculous Escape; Kayaker Briefly Swallowed by Humpback Whale in Chile

A kayaker in Chile had a miraculous escape after being briefly swallowed by a humpback whale during a kayaking trip with his father. The incident occurred last Saturday in the frigid waters of the Strait of Magellan, near Punta Arenas in southern Chile. Adrian Simancas, 24, was paddling in an inflatable kayak when the whale surfaced, opened its jaws, and engulfed him and his kayak. Moments later, the whale released him, and he resurfaced unharmed.

Adrian’s father, Dell Simancas, a 49-year-old Venezuelan-born anesthetist, captured the dramatic moment on video. He was heard urging his son to stay calm and head to the shoreline after the whale spat him out. Adrian later described the experience as terrifying, saying, “I thought I was dead. I thought it had eaten me, that it had swallowed me.” He also expressed fear for his father’s safety and the risk of hypothermia in the cold waters.

Experts believe the whale likely mistook Adrian for prey, as humpback whales feed on small fish and krill. Incidents of humpback whales swallowing humans are exceedingly rare, with experts describing the chances as “one-in-one trillion.” The Strait of Magellan, known for its challenging and adventurous conditions, is a popular spot for kayaking and other activities.

Both Adrian and his father returned to shore safely and are already planning their next kayaking trip, though they intend to take additional precautions. The incident has drawn comparisons to a similar event in 2021 when a lobster diver in Massachusetts was briefly swallowed by a humpback whale and survived.

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