In a startling incident on Sunday, a sailboat off the coast of northwestern Spain was slammed into by a group of orcas, resulting in severe damage to its rudder and leaving one crew member seriously injured. This marks yet another account of killer whales attacking vessels in the region, raising concerns among maritime authorities.

The attack took place near O Roncudo, along the rocky cliffs of Spain's Galicia province. The exact number of orcas involved in the incident remains unknown. The sailboat, named Amidala, sent out a distress call around 4 p.m. GMT to the dispatch center in Cape Finisterre, amid rough seas and adverse weather conditions.

The crew members of Amidala, identified as Belgian nationals, found themselves in a harrowing situation as they battled high waves nearly 10 feet tall and winds reaching speeds of up to 40 miles per hour. The Spanish maritime rescue service deployed a vessel that embarked on a challenging rescue mission lasting several hours.

During the towing operation, the female crew member sustained a serious hand injury, prompting an urgent decision to airlift her back to land. Despite the difficult circumstances, the rescue mission successfully ended with the sailboat being safely docked at Camariñas just before 9:30 p.m.

Manuel Capeáns, the leader of the rescue coordination center in Cape Finisterre, commended the crew of Amidala and all those involved in the rescue operation for their bravery and determination to complete the mission under such harsh conditions.

This incident is the latest in a series of orca attacks on sailboats in Spanish waters and its surrounding area. In May, a sailing yacht was sunk when killer whales assaulted it in the Strait of Gibraltar, causing a water leak. The crew members were fortunately rescued by a passing oil tanker.

Such encounters between killer whales and humans have been on the rise in recent years. According to the GTOA, a research group that documents these incidents in and around the Atlantic Iberian Peninsula, reports of orca interactions with humans have more than tripled over the past two years. However, researchers also noted a significant drop in the orcas' behavior in the Strait of Gibraltar and the Bay of Biscay between January and May of this year compared to the previous three-year average.

Sailors are resorting to various tactics to deter these aggressive predators, including throwing sand into the water, setting off fireworks, and even playing loud thrash metal music. As authorities continue to monitor the situation, it remains a concern for sailors navigating the Spanish waters.

The incidents serve as a reminder of the powerful and unpredictable nature of orcas, prompting authorities and researchers to further investigate these encounters in order to ensure the safety of those at sea.