A disturbing natural phenomenon has unfolded along Namibia's coastline where mass deaths among the marine populations occurred.

Hundreds, possibly thousands, of marine animals were seen floating lifeless in the shallow waters or washed up along the sand, painting a grim picture of an ecological disaster.

In a telephonic interview with nbc News, marine experts linked the incident to recent environmental disruptions, likely caused by a sulphur eruption or the sudden influx of fresh water, sediment, and debris in the Atlantic Ocean – following the breakthrough of the Swakop River on April 1.

Experts note that although similar events have occurred in the past, the scale of this incident is unusually vast and high.

Washed-up marine life has been reported from Guano Island near Walvis Bay up to Wlotzkasbaken, with signs that the impact may stretch even further north.

They explained that the abrupt mix of freshwater and silt likely led to a drastic drop in oxygen levels in the coastal waters, a condition known as deoxygenation.

This phenomenon may have suffocated marine life or forced them from their natural habitat, ultimately resulting in their stranding onshore.

While tragic, experts emphasise that this is a natural ecological response to an exceptionally rare flood event.