A tragic accident brought operations at Bergamo’s Orio al Serio Airport to a halt this morning, after a 35-year-old man died upon being sucked into the engine of an Airbus A319 operated by Volotea. The aircraft was preparing for takeoff to Asturias, Spain, when the shocking incident occurred. All flights were temporarily suspended at the terminal, according to Corriere della Sera.
The incident took place during the plane’s pushback maneuver, as it was being towed from its parking position. According to Milano Today, the man had arrived at the airport by car, took a wrong turn, abandoned the vehicle, and entered on foot through a security gate connecting the terminal with the aircraft operations area.
Preliminary reports indicate that the individual was neither a passenger nor an airport employee. Authorities are now investigating how he managed to breach the restricted area, and while the possibility of a deliberate act has not been ruled out, it remains unclear whether the man acted in confusion or intentionally. Footage of police officers swarming the runway quickly spread on social media.
Airport operator SACBO confirmed that all flight operations were suspended starting at 10:20 a.m. Flights resumed shortly after noon, but not without major disruptions. Multiple cancellations and delays were reported by low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and Air Arabia. The Mirror noted that some flights scheduled for the afternoon and evening were postponed to the early hours of the following day.
Experts quoted by The Sun pointed out that the engines of an Airbus A319 can reach up to 15,000 revolutions per minute, underscoring the fatal nature of the accident. Despite the immediate response from the aircraft’s captain, technical staff, and airport security, nothing could be done to save the man’s life.
The logistical impact was also significant. Prima Bergamo reported that this was the longest operational halt the airport had faced so far this summer. Orio al Serio, the third-busiest airport in Italy, handled over 17 million passengers in 2023, making it a key hub for the Milan air traffic system.
The tragedy has reignited concerns about airport perimeter security. Just a few months ago, in April, a young man was detained after attempting to hide in the landing gear compartment of a parked plane—an incident that ended without injury thanks to prompt police intervention.
Prior to this, technical issues and bad weather had already caused flight disruptions in recent days, though none had resulted in casualties. The airport resumed normal operations after midday, once emergency crews completed safety procedures on the runway, Milano Today reported.
Investigations remain ongoing. Airlines continue to assist affected passengers as authorities work to release an official report.
