Stranded beluga whale removed from Seine river in France as part of rescue attempt

After nearly six hours of work, the 800kg cetacean was lifted from the river by crane and placed on a barge

The beluga whale stranded in the River Seine in northern France has reportedly been removed from the water early on Wednesday in the first stage of an ambitious rescue operation.

After nearly six hours of work, the 800-kilogram (1,800-pound) cetacean was lifted from the river by a net and crane at around 4am (0200 GMT) and placed on a barge under the immediate care of a dozen veterinarians.