Turtles born on beach in Mumbai for first time in 20 years after mass litter clean-up

'A historic moment' as hatchlings emerge on coastline once overwhelmed by plastic

Turtles have hatched on a beach that just three years ago was teeming with thousands of tons of plastic litter.

About 90 hatchlings scuttled to the sea after being born at Versova beach on the eastern side of Mumbai, India, after a huge three-year clean-up operation.

It was the first time in nearly 20 years that young Olive Ridley turtles have been born at the stretch that faces the Arabian Sea.

A lawyer, Afroz Shah, launched a huge volunteer project in 2015 to clear the area of the 5,000 tons of litter, which in places was 5ft deep.

It was so successful that the UN called it the world’s largest beach clean-up.

Mr Shah said it was a "historic moment" and "fantastic news for Mumbai" as he watched the babies emerge and scuttle to the waves.