A bird strike killed 40 flamingos at the airport in India.

The migratory flock was flying over the Laxmibaug when the Emirates Boeing 777 was descending onto runway 27 at Mumbai International Airport May 20 evening.

Their paths crossed at around 1,000ft as the birds were heading home to Kutch and the plane going at 280kmph before the mid-air collision happened.

Footage shows the dead flamingoes lining the road near the airport where they had plunged. The incident was reported to authorities as soon as the aircraft landed.

SY Rama Rao, the Additional Chief Conservator of Forests, said they announced a search to find out whether more birds were affected.

An Emirates airline spokesman said: ‘Emirates can confirm that flight EK 508 from Dubai to Mumbai on 20 May was involved in a bird strike incident upon landing.

‘The aircraft landed safely and all passengers and crew disembarked without injury, however, sadly a number of flamingos were lost and Emirates is cooperating with the authorities on the matter.

‘The aircraft was also damaged in the incident and, as a result, the return flight EK509 scheduled to depart to Dubai on 20 May was cancelled.

'All passengers and crew were accommodated overnight and a replacement aircraft is being arranged for all passengers, and is scheduled to depart Mumbai on 21 May at 21:00 local time. Emirates apologises for any inconvenience caused.

‘The safety of our passengers and crew is of the utmost importance and will not be compromised.'

All passengers and crew were accommodated overnight and a replacement aircraft was arranged for all passengers, and departed Mumbai on May 21 at 21:00 local time.