A quiet Tuesday morning at Milan–Bergamo Airport turned into a scene of horror when a man breached airport security and was fatally sucked into the engine of a departing passenger jet.
The incident, which occurred on July 8 around 10:20 a.m., involved a Volotea Airbus A319 preparing for takeoff to Asturias, Spain. According to airport officials and eyewitnesses, the victim—a 35-year-old Italian national—accessed the airport apron by forcing open an emergency exit and ran toward the aircraft as it taxied for departure.
Despite attempts by ground staff to intervene, the man reached the aircraft’s left engine. He either leapt toward it or was caught in the intake, resulting in his immediate death. Authorities have since stated that the man had no affiliation with airport personnel or the airline, and early investigations point to suicide as the likely motive.
“He threw himself against the casing, then moved toward the front and was either pulled in or jumped voluntarily,” said one shaken eyewitness.
Airport Shutdown and Flight Disruption
In the immediate aftermath, Bergamo Airport (BGY) suspended all operations for nearly two hours. Departures were halted, and inbound flights were diverted to Milan Malpensa, Verona, and Bologna. A total of 19 departures were cancelled during the closure.
The affected aircraft, Flight V73511, was carrying 154 passengers and six crew members, all of whom were removed from the aircraft and offered psychological support. The plane was taken out of service for inspection and investigation.
Serious Security Breach
The incident has triggered widespread concern about airport perimeter security. Investigators are now focused on how the man was able to enter the secure airside area so easily. Surveillance footage reportedly shows him bypassing multiple barriers before sprinting toward the aircraft.
SACBO, the airport’s operator, and Volotea have both pledged full cooperation with investigators. Psychological assistance has been extended not only to the passengers but also to the flight crew and ground staff who witnessed the tragedy.
Not the First of Its Kind
While exceedingly rare, similar incidents have occurred in recent years. In 2023, a ground worker was killed in Amsterdam after being pulled into a jet engine while performing duties near a KLM aircraft. In 2024, an individual died in Salt Lake City under nearly identical circumstances.
Such tragedies, though uncommon, highlight the need for ongoing scrutiny of airport security and mental health support systems—especially in environments where lives are quite literally on the line.