Person dies after being 'sucked into plane engine' before takeoff

A person has died after they were reportedly 'sucked into a plane engine' before takeoff at a European airport.

Flight operations at Milano Bergamo were suspended from 9.20 am UK time this morning (8 July) with a number of flights diverted and cancelled.

The airport's social media account shared on X: "SACBO announces that flight operations at Milan Bergamo Airport were suspended at 10:20 am due to a problem that occurred on the taxiway. The causes of the problem are currently being investigated by the authorities."

It has since released an updated statement that 'air traffic resumed at 12 pm' (11 am UK time).

Lombardy Airports Association had also wrote on X: “Traffic to and from #orio #Bgy is suspended due to a serious issue on the apron.

It reportedly happened as the plane was being prepared for takeoff. (Flightradar24)

“Possible delays, diversions, and cancellations throughout the morning. Updates will follow.”

Italian media is reporting that a person was pulled in by a live jet engine as sources claimed to Corriere della Sera that it happened just as the plane was preparing to depart.

Shortly after picking up passengers, the incident reportedly occurred when the pilots started completing the 'pushback' - when the plane is manoeuvred to come out of the parking area.

It is claimed that a man forced a door open in the baggage claim area and ran onto the tarmac, into the path of the aircraft. It is not clear if it was someone coming from outside the airport or if they were already within it.

The plane involved was an Airbus A319, operated by the Spanish budget airline Volotea.

Data from Flightradar24 shows that the flight from Milan to Austurias, Spain, was only on the move for less than two minutes before the tragedy.

The incident occurred at one of Italy's biggest airports. (Getty Stock)

Despite air traffic having officially resumed at the Italian airport, the country's third busiest, the majority of flights scheduled for the coming hours are either delayed or cancelled.

At 11:50 am local time, one flight was diverted to Bologna with two redirected to Verona and six others sent to Milan Malpensa.

A Ryanair flight to Birmingham scheduled at 3:05 pm is currently not affected.

Emergency services including firefighters and police and airport technicians are investigating how the incident occurred.

The operator of the airport, Sacbo, said in a media statement: "SACBO announces that flight operations at Milan Bergamo Airport were suspended at 10:20 am due to a problem that occurred on the taxiway. The causes of the problem are currently being investigated by the authorities."

LADbible Group has contacted Sacbo for comment.