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© Alpsdake, Wikimedia CommonsBarn Swallow ( Hirundo rustica gutturalis) Barn Swallow in Japan
Police in Hyogo Prefecture said Friday that a large number of swallows were found dead strewn along a road in Kamigori.

According to police, the birds were found around 11:30 a.m. on Thursday. TBS reported that an inspection of a 64-meter-long stretch of road in the town turned up the remains of 41 swallows.

Local officials say that although the cause of the birds' deaths is unknown, a preliminary check for avian flu returned a negative result.

Hyogo prefectural officials said it is continuing to investigate the reason for the unusual number of dead swallows in the area, and will carry out further tests for viruses related to avian influenza.