Saudi denies social media reports whale swallowed entire family

A Saudi family was reported by social networks to have been swallowed by a giant whale at a beach in the Gulf Kingdom, but authorities on Tuesday denied the news and said a picture that was carried along with the report was a fake.

The report was circulated by thousands of Saudis on social networks and BlackBerry mobiles that a huge whale surfaced at the beach and swallowed the entire family that was strolling in the area in the western port of Qunfudah.

“These reports are not true and the picture which was published along with these reports is totally not correct,” ‘Ajel’ newspaper said, quoting Saudi border guard spokesman in the western region, Colonel Naji Al Jahni.

“We call on all media networks not to publish such rumors which will only spread fear among the people and scare them off the beaches.”

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