Milan Bergamo Airport: Tragic reason why man was sucked into plane engine

A man killed after being sucked into a plane engine in Italy is believed to have done so in a tragic suicide. All flights were suspended at Milan's Bergamo Airport at around 10.20am on Tuesday, with the terminal temporarily closed.

The plane was reportedly travelling towards to the runway before the horrific incident unfolded. Italian news agency ANSA reports that the man was trying to take his own life, though this hasn't been confirmed by authorities. According to the agency a number of police officers were running behind him as he ran towards Airline Volotea flight V73511 BGY-OVD.

The commercial jet is believed to have been in motion and preparing for take off when the incident occurred, according to Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera.

Authorities are yet to name the man, who reports suggest was 35 years old.

It wasn't immediately clear whether he worked at the airport or had entered from outside, as per the newspaper.

19 flights have been cancelled while others have been delayed.

In a post on X at 11.40am, Milan Bergamo airport announced that flight operations the travel hub "were suspended from 10:20 am to 12:00 pm due to a problem that occurred on the taxiway".

It added that the "causes of the problem are currently being investigated by the authorities" and that air traffic resumed at noon.

Volotea said in a statement on social media: "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 probe is being conducted by the Italian civil aviation authority and police.

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