Passengers on plane where man died after being ‘sucked into engine’ were given chilling warnings moments after

Warning: This article contains content which some readers may find distressing

Passengers onboard the plane where a man was sucked into the engine have revealed the moment the learnt about the tragedy.

Yesterday (8 July), a 35-year-old man was killed at Milan's Bergamo airport after being sucked into the engine of an Airbus A319 operated by Spanish carrier Volotea, bound for the city of Asturias.

The incident occurred at 10:20 am local time (9:20 am BST) with all air-traffic in and out of the airport being suspended for a number of hours.

Italian media has since confirmed the man was builder Andrea Russo, who lived in Calcinate county, Bergamo.

It's understood that Russo was neither a passenger or member of airport staff and had gained access to the runway by entering a security door in the arrivals terminal.

Despite 'prompt intervention' from airport security staff, Russo was able to make it onto the taxiway and approach the aircraft.

The man has been identified as 35-year-old Andrea Russo (Credit unknown)

What have passengers onboard Volotea flight V7-3511 said?

Passengers onboard flight V7-3511 have since spoken out about the harrowing incident, revealing they were warned against looking out of the window.

"I didn’t see anything but heard a tremendous noise in the engine turbine," passenger Daniel Isla explained to Spanish outlet La Nueva España.

The Chilean national went on to reveal there was a moment of confusion inside the aircraft before the pilot announced that a 'tragedy' had occurred and urged people not to look out of their windows.

"We didn’t know what had happened at first but then the pilot came out and told us a tragedy had occurred and there’d been a terrible accident and someone had been sucked into the engine," he explained.

“It was a feeling of incredulity initially because we couldn’t believe what had happened."

Meanwhile another passenger, named Ana Sanchis, revealed passengers were told to pull down their blinds by cabin crew.

"Suddenly, we heard a noise and a bang," added passenger Carmen Garcia, revealing that a small amount of passengers had seen the horror unfold.

The aircraft involved belonged to Spanish carrier Volotea (Getty Stock Images)

"Some people saw something through the window and put their hands to their heads."

She added that the pilot onboard the aircraft sounded 'shaken' when he announced the news, informing passengers that a 'very serious problem involving a person' had happened.

Meanwhile authorities in Bergamo are now investigating why Russo went onto the airport's taxiway, saying: "We are investigating on any possible relationships with the airport or the world of aeroplanes.

"In the car with which he arrived at the airport, full of all kinds of material, we have not found anything that could provide any kind of explanation."

What has Bergamo airport and Volotea airlines said?

Giovanni Sanga, President of SACBO (which runs Bergamo airport), added: "Today’s tragic event has deeply shaken the entire airport community. First and foremost, I express my personal condolences and those of the company to the victim’s family, to whom we extend our heartfelt support during this terrible time.

“From the outset, in addition to ensuring the immediate management of the emergency and assistance to passengers and crew, we have also focused our attention on the colleagues who witnessed the episode and were deeply affected by it."

Flight V7-3511 had been moving for less than two minutes before tragedy struck (Flightradar24)

Meanwhile airline Volotea provided the following statement to LADbible: "Volotea confirms that flight V7-3511, an Airbus A319, with registration EC-MTF, operating from Milan-Bergamo (BGY) to Asturias (OVD), was involved in an incident at Milan-Bergamo Airport at 10:35h local time (8:35h UTC) today.

"A person, who was not a passenger or airport personnel, trespassed onto the runway while the aircraft was preparing for takeoff. Sadly, the person was struck by the engine and has passed away. The airline deeply regrets this tragic incident and extends its condolences to the family of the person involved.

"All 154 passengers on board, along with the 6 Volotea crew members, are physically safe. Passengers were promptly deboarded and taken to a designated area, where provisions were made available. Psychological support was also offered to both passengers and crew members. The affected passengers were rebooked on another Volotea flight that departed at 16:43h local time and landed in Asturias at 18:50h local time. The airline also deployed additional staff at Asturias Airport to receive passengers and provide support upon arrival.

"Volotea has fully cooperated with local authorities and Milan-Bergamo Airport throughout the investigation. The airline would like to express its gratitude to its crew for their swift response and support of passengers, as well as to its passengers for their cooperation during this difficult situation.

"The safety and well-being of Volotea’s passengers, crew, and airport partners is the airline's top priority. The airline expresses its condolences once again to all those affected by this incident."