PUNTA ARENAS, Chile (AP) — In a remarkable incident off the coast of Chilean Patagonia, a humpback whale unexpectedly engulfed a kayaker before swiftly releasing him without injury. The extraordinary moment was captured on video and quickly gained widespread attention online.

On Saturday, Adrián Simancas and his father, Dell, were kayaking in Bahía El Águila near the San Isidro Lighthouse in the Strait of Magellan. Suddenly, a humpback whale surfaced, momentarily swallowing Adrián and his bright yellow kayak before letting them go.

Just a few meters away, Dell recorded the incident, urging his son to remain calm. “Stay calm, stay calm,” he is heard saying as Adrián emerged unharmed from the whale’s mouth.

“I thought I was going to die,” Adrián recounted to The Associated Press. “I was convinced that it had swallowed me.” He further described the sheer panic of those brief seconds, explaining that his true fear emerged once he resurfaced, worried that the massive whale might also harm his father or that he might struggle in the frigid waters.

Despite the adrenaline-pumping experience, Dell kept his composure, filming while providing reassurance to Adrián amid his own anxieties.

“When I resurfaced, I was terrified that something could happen to my father too, that we might not reach the shore safely, or that I could suffer from hypothermia,” Adrián shared.

Fortunately, after a few tense seconds in the water, Adrián was able to paddle back to his father’s kayak, receiving prompt assistance. Thankfully, both of them returned to shore without any injuries.

The Strait of Magellan, located approximately 1,600 miles (3,000 kilometers) south of Santiago, Chile’s capital, is a prominent tourist destination known for its adventure activities in breathtaking surroundings.

While the region attracts numerous explorers, the icy waters present significant challenges for sailors, swimmers, and those seeking new adventures.

Although it is summer in the Southern Hemisphere, temperatures in the area stay relatively cool, frequently dropping to around 39 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius) and rarely climbing above 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius).

While encounters between humans and whales are extremely infrequent in Chilean waters, there has been a notable rise in whale fatalities due to collisions with cargo vessels in recent years. Additionally, strandings have become a significant concern in the past decade.

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