Emirates Flight Strikes Flamingos in Mumbai, Resulting in 40 Bird Fatalities and Aircraft Damage

In a distressing incident in Mumbai, at least 40 flamingos were killed after being struck by an Emirates aircraft, EK 508, near the Ghatkopar area. The collision occurred around 9 pm on Monday, just as the plane was preparing to land at Mumbai Airport. Despite the incident causing severe damage to the aircraft, it managed to land safely, and all passengers aboard were unharmed.

Local forest officials, after being alerted by residents and a wildlife group, discovered 36 bodies of flamingos, with the total number of fatalities estimated at 40. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) confirmed the incident, stating that the deceased birds had been sent for post-mortem examinations to determine the precise cause of death.

The tragic event highlights the ongoing conflict between wildlife and urban expansion, as the area is known for being a seasonal habitat for millions of flamingos. Each summer, these birds migrate to Thane Creek and the surrounding wetlands of Navi Mumbai, making the local airspace particularly hazardous during this period.

Pawan Sharma, founder of the Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW) and honorary wildlife warden, noted that numerous reports of dead flamingos were made by locals, prompting a detailed search by forest department officials and RAWW teams. The search operation conducted on Monday night led to the discovery of the bird carcasses, which were subsequently sent for autopsy.

This incident not only underscores the need for improved measures to safeguard both wildlife and air travelers but also poses serious questions about the impacts of airport operations on local ecosystems.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, indiatvnews.com