Explosive device fired to chase away birds at BIA fall back

The officers were responding to reports of a flock of birds flying over the runway, which posed a potential hazard to aircraft operations. As part of their routine procedure, the officers used projectiles containing explosive materials designed for airburst dispersal to scare the birds away.

However, in a rare mishap, one of the projectiles malfunctioned and did not explode in mid-air as intended. The device fell onto the officers' vehicle, where it detonated, causing significant damage and injuring all three personnel onboard.

The injured officers were immediately rushed to the Negombo Hospital, where they are receiving treatment for their injuries. Airport authorities have assured that their condition is stable, though the extent of their injuries remains unclear.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident to determine the cause of the malfunction and to review safety procedures for the use of explosive devices in wildlife control operations. In the meantime, the airport's operations were not significantly impacted by the incident, and safety measures around the runway have been heightened.

This unusual event highlights the potential risks involved in wildlife control efforts at busy international airports, where bird strikes remain a serious concern for aviation safety.