A man died after breaking through security at a Milan airport and getting sucked into an aircraft engine, Italian media reported, APA reports citing The Telegraph.
All flights were suspended at Milan Bergamo, Italy’s third-busiest airport, at 10.20am local time until around midday.
Sacbo, the airport’s operators, confirmed that an “incident” forced the suspension of operations at the airport.
According to Corriera Della Sera, one of Italy’s main newspapers, the man was sucked into the plane engine as it began to manoeuvre before taking off for Asturias in Spain. He is believed to have been 35 years old.
Ansa, an Italian news agency, reported that the victim was neither a passenger nor an airport employee. It added that the man appeared to have taken his own life.
Reports said he entered the airport terminal after abandoning his car. He then entered the arrivals area before opening a security door in the baggage delivery area that leads directly onto the tarmac.
Flight V73511 was reportedly completing the “pushback” move to exit the parking area when the man was pulled into the aircraft engine, airport sources said.
The Airbus A319 is usually equipped with two main types of engines, with rotors that can spin at nearly 15,000 rotations per minute.
In a statement on X, airline Volotea said: “We’re investigating reports of an incident involving our flight V73511 BGY-OVD, which occurred on the ground after boarding was completed and ready for departure.
“We’re aware that one individual has sustained serious injuries involving the aircraft engine. More information soon.”
The incident forced a total of nine flights to divert within minutes of the incident occurring, one to Bologna, two to Verona, and six to Milan Malpensa.
Ryanair is one of the leading airlines at Bergamo airport. Its flights heading for Prague, Tirana, Kos, Naples, and Porto were among the cancellations, according to Milano Today.
