PUNTA ARENAS, Chile: A remarkable incident in Chilean Patagonia has gone viral as a humpback whale briefly swallowed a kayaker before releasing him unharmed. The event, caught on video by the kayaker's father, has captivated audiences worldwide.

On Saturday, February 8th, Adrián Simancas, 24, was kayaking with his father, Dell, in Bahía El Águila near the San Isidro Lighthouse in the Strait of Magellan when the unexpected incident occurred. The humpback whale surfaced, engulfing both Adrián and his bright yellow kayak for a brief moment before letting them go.

Dell, situated just a few yards away, recorded the scene while urging his son to stay calm. “Stay calm, stay calm,” he can be heard saying, as the whale released Adrián. Adrián reflected on the terrifying experience, confessing, “I thought I was dead,” believing he had been completely swallowed.

In recounting the moments that followed, Adrián described, “When I came up and started floating, I was scared that something might happen to my father too, that we wouldn't reach the shore in time, or that I would get hypothermia.” After a few seconds in the chilly waters, he managed to reach his father's kayak where he received help.

Despite the traumatic experience, both father and son returned safely to shore, uninjured. The Strait of Magellan, approximately 3,000 kilometers south of Santiago, is a popular tourist destination known for various adventure activities, though its cold waters present risks to those venturing out.

Even with temperatures in the region rarely exceeding 20 degrees Celsius in summer, whale attacks on humans are noted to be extremely rare. However, incidents of whale collisions with ships have unfortunately surged over recent years, alongside an increase in beach strandings.

Experts assert that while the moment was alarming, it was improbable for the whale to have fully swallowed the kayaker, as humpbacks have relatively small throats, making such an occurrence unlikely.

For more details on this incredible moment, check reports by Los Angeles Times, Channel News Asia, CBS News, and India Times.