LIVORNO – The body of a whale, already in a state of decomposition, was found yesterday morning, September 17th, in Livorno, beached in the stretch of sea opposite the Terrazza Mascagni, a place for seaside walks for the people of Livorno. During the night, the strong current pushed the cetacean through the shallows surrounding the Terrazza, until the body came to rest right at the base of the structure’s balustrade. In the morning, with the first passersby, reports of the sad and malodorous spectacle began.
The weight of the mammal, probably 45 tons when alive, its length of 16.80 meters, and its state of decomposition made the removal particularly complex.
The urgent operations carried out by the company F.lli Neri were fundamental; they provided a tugboat, diving and technical personnel, which was joined by the team of divers from the Fire Brigade, the support of the Provincial Civil Protection, and the coordination of the Municipality of Livorno.
For safety reasons, the cetacean was transported yesterday early afternoon to the Darsena Petroli, Berth 12 of the port of Livorno, where it was lifted and sent for disposal; the site was washed and disinfected. The operations concluded yesterday evening because, due to adverse sea weather conditions, characterized by a strong undertow near the coast, they lasted longer than expected. The Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale will analyze some tissue samples taken from the whale and determine the cause of death.
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The thanks of the mayor of Livorno
The thanks of Mayor Luca Salvetti to all those who participated in the recovery and disposal of the whale beached yesterday morning at the Terrazza Mascagni.
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“With the operations concluded, I extend a special thanks to all those who participated in the recovery and disposal of the whale beached yesterday morning at the Terrazza Mascagni. The timely intervention of the municipal offices of Maintenance and Care of the City, and State Property, led respectively by Silvia Borgo and Lorenzo Lazzerini, made it possible to set in motion a highly efficient machine that managed to remove the cetacean’s carcass in one day. A special thanks goes to the Neri company, in the person of Piero Neri, who altruistically provided the tugboat, divers, and technicians of the company.
I express my gratitude to Admiral Giovanni Canu, commander of the Livorno Port Authority, the Local Police, the Provincial Police, and the Provincial Civil Protection, the Fire Brigade, ARPAT, the Museum of Natural History, and the Livorno companies Bettarini and Petracchi.
Of great support, as is now customary in our city, was the intervention of the Civil Protection volunteer associations: SVS, Misericordia Livorno, Misericordia Montenero, Croce Rossa Italiana”.
