A man has died after being “sucked into” a plane’s engine at Milan Bergamo airport.
The incident occurred at Italy’s Bergamo airport, a hub for low-cost airlines serving Milan, leading to its temporary closure on Tuesday after a man died on a runway during take-off preparations.
Flight operations were suspended from 10.20 am until midday local time (0820-1000 GMT) “due to a problem that occurred on the taxiway,” the airport stated, confirming an ongoing investigation.
A spokesperson confirmed the death of a man who was neither a passenger nor airport staff.
According to the ANSA news agency, the man was drawn into the engine of a departing plane. Reports suggest he ran towards the moving aircraft despite attempts by airport police to stop him.
It is believed the victim, who breached security at Milan Bergamo Airport, was neither a passenger nor an airport employee.
The Bergamo police have not yet issued a statement.
Spanish low-cost carrier Volotea released a statement following an incident involving an engine of its 10.35 am flight to Asturias, stating that “one person who was not on board … and has no connection with the company suffered serious injuries.”
The 154 passengers on board were rescheduled for an afternoon flight, and psychological support was offered to both passengers and crew members potentially traumatised by the incident, Volotea confirmed.
