Tragedy at Milan Airport: Man Dies After Appearing to Run Into Jet Engine

Tragedy at Milan Bergamo Airport

On 8 July, a man identified as 35-year-old Andrea Russo lost his life upon being sucked into an airplane’s engine at Italy’s Milan Bergamo airport. The incident occurred at 10:35 a.m. during preparations for a Volotea Airbus A319’s takeoff.

The plane was bound for Asturias, Spain, however, the incident prompted a 2-hour suspension of all flight operations at the airport.

Security Breach and Final Moments

Onlookers and authorities reported that Russo drove into the terminal area the wrong way, before he abandoned his vehicle and sprinted through the airport; all without a boarding pass.

Border police attempted an intervention, which Russo evaded as he forced his way past a secured access point onto the runway.

Footage showed him running past ground staff before launching himself into one of the plane engines.

Witnesses, including ground staff, were visibly shaken at the sight.

Emergency responders arrived on the scene shortly after, and authorities later confirmed that Russo died instantly upon impact.

Passenger Safety and Flight Disruptions

Volotea Airlines confirmed Russo’s status as neither a passenger nor an airport staff. Authorities mentioned that all 154 passengers and six crew personnel aboard the plane were unharmed, before being transferred to a 4:43 p.m. flight that arrived safely to Asturias.

Flight operations at Milan Bergamo Airport resumed around noon after a temporary suspension. 19 flights were either delayed or grounded during the suspension.

Affected passengers received logistical and emotional support from both airline and airport staff.

Ongoing Investigation

Authorities are looking into the circumstances surrounding the breach. Preliminary investigations indicated that Russo had a history of substance abuse but was in treatment at the time.

Andrea Russo via Facebook, Photo Courtesy of 7News

Officials are also investigating whether he has any ties to aviation or the airport. As of now, no clear motive has been identified.

In response to the tragedy, SACBO, the airport’s management authority, confirmed the occurrence on the taxiway and stated that investigations are ongoing.

Public Reaction and Safety Concerns

The incident sparked concern over airport security and emergency response protocols. Social media users and local commentators have questioned how an unauthorised individual managed to bypass multiple layers of airport security.