The animal was first noticed on Monday, but the first attempt to free it was unsuccessful. Efforts on Thursday to dig a channel with heavy machinery finally worked and the whale was able to return to the sea overnight.
Social media videos captured the harrowing scene as terrified passengers, mostly wearing life jackets, leapt into the sea amidst the chaos of flames and smoke emanating from the KM Barcelona 5 ferry.
As many as 15 workers may be trapped underground following reports of an industrial tunnel collapse in Wilmington around 8 p.m. Wednesday, authorities said.
FDNY Assistant Chief Mike Meyers detailed the challenging rescue efforts, emphasizing the complexities involved in transferring patients from the water and coordinating emergency services on land.