Several Flamingos killed by a Plane in Mumbai

At least 39 flamingos were killed after an Emirates plane struck them while landing in Mumbai, sparking anger among environmentalists who blame construction activities for disrupting the migratory birds' flight paths.

A minimum of 39 flamingos have been reported dead after an Emirates airline plane hit them during the landing in the western Indian city of Mumbai on Monday night. A flight coming from Dubai with passengers over 300 on board was able to make a safe landing despite the bird strike.

The loss of the migratory flamingos has raised emotions among the activists as they claim that construction activities around the wetlands of Mumbai have interfered with the normal flying patterns of the birds. Flamingos visit Mumbai every year in November and make the wetlands of the city their temporary shelter for several months.

An Emirates representative stated that its flight “was involved in a bird strike upon landing” and it “sadly lost several flamingos. The airline stated that it is working closely with the authorities in regard to the matter.

The flamingo carcasses were seen by children in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar suburb late Monday night, lying over a 500-meter radius on the road. The forest officials stated that about 29 dead bodies were spotted first and 10 more the following morning.

Footage demonstrated volunteers and officials collecting the blood-stained bird carcasses from the floor. Activists believe that flamingos might have changed their usual flight direction toward a nearby sanctuary because of newly erected high-power cables.

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The disaster has fuelled debate on construction activities around Mumbai’s coastal marshes again as experts warned that the upcoming airport in Navi Mumbai could see a repeat of the tragedy if the flamingos’ nesting grounds are affected.