The Boeing 777 aircraft, flying from Dubai to Mumbai, hit the flock around 300m from the ground, leaving 39 of the birds dead, the Times of India newspaper reported.

“Emirates can confirm that EK508 from Dubai to Mumbai on 20 May was involved in a bird strike incident upon landing,” an Emirates spokesman told Reuters.

“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 spokesman said.

Images in local media showed officials carrying bloodied flamingos, which migrate to the city every winter from the neighbouring state of Gujarat.

The Emirates aircraft was damaged in the incident and the return flight, scheduled to depart for Dubai on May 20, was cancelled, the spokesman said.