Seventy whales stranded in Tasmania released, but only 20 remain well enough for rescue

At least 380 whales are dead in one of the largest mass strandings on record globally and the biggest in Australia's history

Whale rescuers at one of the world's largest stranding events on Tasmania's west coast have now released 70 of the 470 marine mammals into the ocean, with only 20 of those remaining now well enough to be rescued.

Vets at the scene in Macquarie Harbour have recommended four of the long-finned pilot whales be euthanised. The task was being carried out on Thursday morning.