Man killed after being sucked into plane engine at Italy's Milan Airport

A man has died after being sucked into a plane engine at Milan’s Orio al Serio Airport, also known as Bergamo Airport. The tragic incident took place on July 8 morning, leading to a temporary suspension of flights, Report informs referring to News18.

According to Italian daily Corriere della Sera, the man, believed to be about 35 years old, reportedly ran onto the airport runway and was pulled into the engine of a Volotea Airbus A319 preparing for departure. It is not yet clear whether the man was a passenger or airport staff.

The publication reported that the man had entered the airport premises in an unusual manner. He reportedly drove into the terminal area the wrong way, abandoned his vehicle, and ran inside. After reaching the arrivals area on the ground floor, he is said to have forced open a security door leading directly to the aircraft parking zone.

The Airbus A319 involved in the accident was set to fly to Asturias, Spain. At the time of the accident, the plane was completing a “pushback" manoeuvre, a standard procedure where the aircraft is moved backward from the gate in preparation for taxiing.

Shortly after the incident, Airport operator SACBO confirmed there was a “problem on the taxiway" and said the cause of the incident is currently under investigation by the authorities.

Volotea airline issued a statement on social media acknowledging the incident. The airline said it was investigating the situation involving flight V73511 from Bergamo to Asturias. It confirmed that one person suffered serious injuries after coming into contact with the aircraft engine.