Major European airport closed after ‘man sucked into plane engine and killed’

Several flights have been redirected.

The incident occurred at Milan Bergamo Airport, with reports saying that the man was "sucked into the plane engine and killed".

Italian publication Corriere della Sera reported that the person involved was not a passenger nor a member of airport staff, but is believed to have run onto tarmac into the path of the plane that was taxiing before takeoff.

One flight was diverted to Bologna, while two others were directed to Verona, and six were sent to Milan Malpensa following this morning's accident.

According to local reports, operations were suspended at 10:20 am, leading to eight departing flights being cancelled.

Sacbo, the operator of the Bergamo airport, said: "An incident that occurred on the taxiway, the causes of which are being investigated by law enforcement."

Lombardy Airports Association wrote on X: "Traffic to and from #orio #Bgy is suspended due to a serious issue on the apron.

"Possible delays, diversions, and cancellations throughout the morning. Updates will follow."

The airport’s official X account confirmed the halt in operations: “SACBO announces that flight operations at Milan Bergamo Airport were suspended at 10.20 am due to a problem that occurred on the taxiway.

The causes of the problem are currently being investigated by the authorities.

“The area remains cordoned off as authorities work to determine how the man was able to breach security and get so close to a moving aircraft."