Heartbreaking images of Blue Whale struck dead by ship as it slept

These heartbreaking images show the body of a majestic blue whale fatally injured as it slept in a busy shipping lane.

It was spotted floating near the surface of the Indian Ocean off the southern tip of Sri Lanka.

A gaping wound shows the horrific point of impact with the bow of the ship – leaving the gentle giant’s tail fin in tatters.

Distressing sight: The body of this blue whale was found floating in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka after being struck by a ship as it sleptDistressing sight: The body of this blue whale was found floating in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka after being struck by a ship as it slept

Horrific: The gaping wound where the bow of a container vessel is believed to have collided with the whale's tailHorrific: The gaping wound where the bow of a container vessel is believed to have collided with the whale’s tail

Horrific: The gaping wound where the bow of a container vessel is believed to have collided with the whale's tailHorrific: The gaping wound where the bow of a container vessel is believed to have collided with the whale’s tail.

Marine experts believe the blue whale – an endangered species with as few as 5,000 left in the wild – had been struck by a container vessel.

The moving pictures were captured by diver Tony Wu, who wanted to highlight the blue whale’s desperate plight in a bid to reduce devastating ship strikes.

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