Killer whales shown packed together and gasping for air in a tiny ice hole off Japan have been able to escape, according to officials.

About a dozen orcas were spotted bobbing up and down about half a mile from Rausu in the northeastern coast of Hokkaido.

Officials said a rescue would be difficult as the ice was too thick, but when they returned on Tuesday evening it appeared that the pod had moved north.

By Wednesday the whales were no longer in the area and it is believed they managed to free themselves, according to Rausu official Masataka Shirayanagi.

The whales were spotted by a marine life expert who was researching the local sea lion population.

A lack of wind in recent days had meant the mass of drift ice had barely moved, trapping the pod in a tiny gap.

Drone footage by a conservation group was shown on national TV and sparked pleas for help, including a call for an icebreaker ship to rescue them.

Read more from Sky News:
Sleepy polar bear photo wins top prize
Hyena attack leaves one dead and two injured

The whales were in Japanese waters but close to an island whose ownership is disputed by Russia and Japan.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Chief cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said officials had communicated with Russia over the whales, but added that orcas are not an endangered species in Japan.

Related posts:

Russian gay family in controversial supermarket advert flees to Spain after threats Taliban fire into air at anti-Pakistan protest as UN warns basic services on verge of collapse Paris attacks survivors hope for justice as France’s biggest criminal trial in history begins Missing baby reunited with family after being handed to soldier over Kabul airport wall Novak Djokovic wins appeal against deportation from Australia ‘People get nabbed’: Ukrainian refugees tell of life under Russian occupation US acts as if it is ‘sent by God to Earth’ says Putin as he condemns ‘stupid’ sanctions Netanyahu set to form government after Israeli PM concedes defeat in election Dozens feared dead as migrant boat capsizes in Mediterranean French strikes disrupt power supply and nuclear reactor maintenance At least 126 confirmed dead after Japan earthquake – as tremors and snow threaten to collapse roads Forest fires kill at least 19 people in Chile with fears they will spread to populated areas