Humpback whale runs aground again after being freed from E. China beach

Police station in Lianxing port in Qidong, Jiangsu province received a report that a humpback whale was stranded at the beach on Monday. The officers launched a rescue operation. They splashed sea water on the whale's body to keep it alive. [Photo by Zhang Shanyu/Asianewsphotos] More photos on rescue: Stranded humpback rescued back to the sea

NANJING - A 7.5-meter long humpback whale ran aground again on Tuesday at a beach in eastern China's Jiangsu Province, not far from where it was first rescued Monday.

Police and fishery departments in the city of Qidong are attempting to rescue the stranded whale.

Fisherman Yang Fagen said he discovered the stranded whale at noon on Monday. He reported it to the police in Lianxing Port in Qidong. Many local fishermen rushed to splash water on the whale, and push it into the sea.

With police help, fishermen dug a ditch on the beach and sent a boat to direct the 3-tonne whale toward deeper water during a rising tide at 5:30 p.m. Monday.

Onlookers made live broadcasts of the rescue on social media on Monday, with netizens sending wishes and prayers for its safety.

"The whale has many scars on its body, new and old," said Tang Jianhua, a researcher from the Jiangsu Marine Aquatic Research Institute, who joined the rescue Monday.h He said it was uncertain if the whale would survive.

The whale is back in the sea. [Photo/IC] More photos on rescue: Stranded humpback rescued back to the sea