A major rescue operation is underway to save nine pilot whales that have become stranded on mudflats off the coast of Sheppey. The whales became trapped during low tide in the Swale earlier today.

The rescue effort involves thirty members of British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), who are using specialist equipment to navigate the difficult mudflats and reach the whales. Rescuers are hopeful that the pod will be able to refloat when the tide comes in during the early hours of Tuesday.

EDIT

It seems that one of the polit whales died and the rest are no longer there.

Further EDIT

Three other whales were found dead later