In a tragic incident at Milan Bergamo Airport in Italy on Tuesday morning, a ground staff member lost his life after being sucked into the engine of an Airbus A319 operated by Volotea. The aircraft was preparing for takeoff to Asturias, Spain, when the individual reportedly ran onto the tarmac and into the engine’s path while it was taxiing.
Volotea confirmed that 154 passengers were on board along with six crew members, including two pilots and four cabin crew. In a post on X, the airline said they are extending full support to affected passengers and staff, including psychological assistance.
Operations at Orio al Serio Airport (Milan Bergamo) were halted at 10:20 AM following the fatal accident. The airport, which catered to over 17 million passengers in 2024, is among the busiest in Italy.
Airport operator SACBO acknowledged a “problem that occurred on the taxiway” and stated that authorities are investigating the cause of the incident.
Reports indicate the man was pulled into the aircraft engine moments before the plane’s departure, leading to an immediate shutdown of operations. Nine incoming flights were diverted, six were rerouted, and eight departures were cancelled. The airport resumed operations after midday.