Residents and authorities in a Canadian town are living with the possibility that a dead whale on their shores could explode at any time.

The animal washed up on the beach of Trout River in Newfoundland and its carcass is now beginning to rot.

Indeed, local people say it is already beginning to emit a powerful stench that is causing discomfort for the 600 individuals who call the town home.

Emily Butler, the town clerk of Trout River, said: "This is about the fact that this whale is blowing up on the beach. It has gases trapped inside of it."

Locals have asked the province's environment and government services departments for help in removing the whale.

Ms Butler added that they have not yet had any definite answers, so as it stands there is no plan in place for how to deal with the whale.

She noted that should the whale explode, there is no way of knowing what danger it would pose to people and infrastructure.ADNFCR-2867-ID-801716884-ADNFCR

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