‘Incomprehensible’: Madrid plans huge firework display on nature reserve

Opponents lodge legal appeal against Sunday's planned mascleta, a celebration of noise, near recently restored Manzanares river

Environmentalists and animal welfare groups are protesting against Madrid city council's plans to stage an especially noisy firework display in a nature reserve created on the recently restored Manzanares river.

Opponents say the mascleta, a celebration of noise rather than light, planned for this Sunday lunchtime will lead to a massacre" of wildlife, and of birds in particular.