A MONSTER 50ft dead whale has washed up on the coast of Devon - sparking fears that it could EXPLODE.

The endangered fin whale carcass has been blocked off by coastguards to stop the public from getting too close.

15 The huge 50ft whale washed up on the coast of Devon this morning Credit: Apex News

15 It is badly decayed and smelled pungent according to witnesses Credit: Apex News

15 Coastguards want the whale removed before it turns into a health hazard Credit: Apex News

15 The decaying whale was described as a "marvellous" sight by onlookers Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

15 It has been placed behind a barrier to protect the public Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

It is believed to have been tracked in the sea for around a month but was last seen just off the coast of France.

The 50ft whale washed up at Red Rock Beach, between Dawlish Warren and Dawlish, this morning.

Gobsmacked witnesses said it was a "marvellous" and "magnificent" sight - but complained about the "pungent" stench.

15 Coastguards have blocked off the public amid fears the fin whale could explode Credit: Apex News

15 The huge whale is still attracting stunned witnesses to the beach Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

15 The endangered fin whale is the second-largest animal after the blue whale Credit: Apex News

One said: "It's a rather sad sight and quite an extraordinary one.

"Apparently it's been around for at least a month in the sea, it was last spotted off France.

"As soon as I hit the beach I could smell it."

related stories HE'S BEHIND YOU Traveller has whale of a time as he poses for snaps with giant humpbacks in the Pacific MOBY SICK Dad and son flog 'smelly rubber' beach trash for £65,000 after discovering it is mega rare WHALE VOMIT Revealed REVEALED How humpback whales are risking their lives to rescue vulnerable seals from killer whale attacks WHAT A JOKE Victorious Iceland offers England footie flops a free whale watching holiday to sooth 'wounded pride' Pictured Get the duck out the way A seabird gets in a flap as killer whales prey on hapless ducks off Scottish coast

Initially thought to be a sperm whale, it has since been confirmed as a fin whale by the Zoological Society of London.

Fin whales, the second largest animal after the blue whale, are usually found in the Bay of Biscay but their presence in British waters is a relatively new discovery.

Coastguards are currently at the scene where the badly decomposed remains of the whale washed up.

They are working with staff from Teignbridge District Council to make sure the area is safe and have asked members of the public keep a respectful distance.

15 Members of the public have been asked to keep a respectful distance Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

15 Teignbridge District Council is arranging to have the corpse removed as quickly as possible so it doesn't turn into a public health hazard Credit: Apex News

15 The sperm whale was spotted in France after being tracked for a month Credit: Apex News

It comes after a similar sized whale exploded during a grisly autopsy in January in Skegness, Lincolnshire.

The 30-tonne whale let out a “huge blast of air” as marine biologists carried out a post-mortem. Two smaller calves were discovered side by side two-and-a-half miles away.

Shocking pictures show its carcass covered in blood with its guts and insides clearly visible after experts hacked away the blubber on its side.

15 It comes after shocking pictures showed whale carcass which apparently exploded during a post-mortem exam on beach in Skegness earlier this year

15 The latest monster fin whale washed just after 8am and attracted a huge crowd of stunned onlookers Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

15 A fin whale can grow up to 85ft and the females are larger than the males Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

15 Coastguards are now working at Red Rock beach between Dawlish Warren and Dawlish in Devon Credit: Apex News

Teignbridge District Council is arranging to have the corpse removed as quickly as possible so it doesn't turn into a public health hazard.

They also want it taken away before seagulls and ravens begin attacking and eating it.

A coastguard said: "This was a gentle, beautiful creature and we don't want it being turned into a circus sideshow."

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368.