Authorities have released more information surrounding the tragic incident at Milan’s Bergamo Airport on Monday (July 8), where a man lost his life after being pulled into a plane engine.
The horrifying event prompted an immediate suspension of flight operations at 10:20AM local time (9:20AM BST), following what the airport initially described as “a problem that occurred on the taxiway.” Flights were temporarily halted, and several departures were either cancelled or delayed as emergency services rushed to the scene.
While details were scarce at first, officials later confirmed that the victim was not a passenger or an employee affiliated with any airline or company operating at the airport.
Italian media has since identified the deceased as Andrea Russo, a 35-year-old man from Calcinate in the province of Bergamo, Lombardy, per The New York Times.
In a press release issued by the airport’s operator, SACBO, it was revealed that Russo gained unauthorized access to the airport apron, an area restricted to personnel and aircraft, “despite the prompt intervention of the law enforcement officers present.”
The statement continued: “The individual then moved toward the taxiway, approached a commercial aircraft with its engines running, and tragically lost his life.”
The aircraft involved was a Volotea Airbus A319, which was stationary and preparing for departure to Asturias, Spain, at the time of the incident.
Authorities are continuing to investigate how Russo managed to bypass airport security.
According to Italian reports, the man may have driven the wrong way down an access road before abandoning his vehicle and running into the airport terminal.
Surveillance footage reportedly shows him entering the arrivals hall and forcing open a security door that led directly onto the tarmac.
Public Prosecutor Maurizio Romanelli confirmed that investigators are still exploring any possible links Russo may have had to the airport or the aviation industry. “In the car he arrived in, which was filled with various items, we found nothing that could clearly explain his motives,” he said, via LBC.
Law enforcement officers tried to intercept Russo, but were unable to stop him before he ran toward the aircraft, per La Voce del Patriota.
Giovanni Sanga, President of SACBO, expressed condolences on behalf of the airport community (via The Mirror): “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."
Investigations remain ongoing as authorities work to piece together the exact sequence of events and determine how such a security breach occurred.