Plane bound for Cape Verde makes emergency landing in London after collision with swans

A TUI Boeing 737 on its way to Cape Verde was forced to make an emergency landing at London's Gatwick Airport after colliding with two swans shortly after take-off.

The aircraft, operating flight BY432, had to return almost immediately after impacting with the birds.

The aircraft, operating flight BY432, had to return almost immediately after impacting with the birds. Footage from the plane, registration G-TUMP, shows blood stains on the co-pilot's windshield and visible damage to the aircraft's nose cone.

Despite the collision with the swans, the swans had to return almost immediately after impacting with the birds.

Despite the collision, the cabin windows, designed to withstand high-speed impacts, remained intact, showing only blood marks. None of the passengers or crew were injured in the incident, which took place on Wednesday.

The pilots followed the crash.

The pilots followed safety protocols, circling over Sussex to burn fuel and reduce the weight of the aircraft before landing. After around three hours, the 150 passengers made their way to Cape Verde on another aircraft provided by TUI.

A spokesperson for the TUI spokesperson said.

A spokesman for the airline denied reports that a "mayday" emergency alert had been issued. According to experts, collisions with birds are common in aviation, and modern aircraft are designed to withstand them, although in some cases they can pose significant risks.

One of the most notorious incidents involving birds occurred in 2009, when a US Airways Airbus A320 lost power in both engines after colliding with a flock of birds in New York. The pilot, Captain "Sully" Sullenberger, made an emergency landing in the Hudson River, saving everyone on board.