Most people know the sheer power of a jet engine — a force capable of launching hundreds of tons into the sky. But when something, or someone, gets too close, that force can become instantly and fatally destructive.
And this time, it ended in unthinkable tragedy.
A Shocking Morning at Milan Bergamo Airport
On the morning of July 8, horror unfolded on the runway at Milan Bergamo Airport when a 35-year-old man was fatally pulled into a jet engine just moments before takeoff. The gruesome accident sent shockwaves through the airport, leaving both staff and travelers visibly shaken.
Flights were grounded as emergency crews rushed to the scene and authorities launched an immediate investigation into how such a catastrophic breach of safety could occur.
According to Bergamo News, the man—whose identity has not yet been released—arrived at the airport in a vehicle before inexplicably bypassing security and entering a restricted area on the tarmac.
What happened next defied logic and protocol—and turned deadly in an instant.
Just before 10:35 a.m. local time on July 8, tragedy struck the tarmac at Milan Bergamo Airport.
As a Volotea Airbus A319 prepared for departure to Oviedo, Spain, a man was suddenly and fatally pulled into one of the aircraft’s turbofan engines during a routine “pushback” maneuver. The horrifying moment unfolded in full view of airport staff and nearby passengers.
Airport operator Sacbo confirmed that the fatal incident occurred on the taxiway and is currently under active investigation by Italian authorities.
“We regret to confirm flight V73511 from BGY-OVD was involved in an incident at Milan-Bergamo Airport at 10:35h,” Volotea Airlines posted on X (formerly Twitter). “One person not onboard and not affiliated with the company was seriously injured.”
Not a Passenger, Not an Employee
Volotea was quick to confirm that all 154 passengers and 6 crew members on board the plane were unharmed, and a replacement flight was rescheduled for 3:55 p.m.
But the most chilling detail? The victim wasn’t a passenger. He wasn’t airport staff. He had no reason to be anywhere near the plane.
Authorities revealed that the man—whose identity has not yet been made public—had abandoned his car in front of the terminal, forced open a secured door, and sprinted across restricted ground toward the aircraft just moments before the deadly incident.
Possible Suicide Being Investigated
According to ANSA, investigators are now exploring the possibility that the man may have accessed the runway in an attempt to take his own life.
The emotional fallout from the tragedy prompted Milan Bergamo Airport to suspend all operations until noon, disrupting air traffic across the region. At least 19 flights were delayed or diverted as emergency personnel responded and the investigation began.
The shocking event has left many grappling with questions — not only about how it could have happened, but why.
Emergency responders, police investigators, and specialists from Bergamo’s Scientific Unit swiftly joined forces to secure the scene and recover the victim’s remains. Firefighters assisted as new details about the man’s movements before the tragedy began to surface.
According to the Daily Mail, jet engines can spin at nearly 15,000 rotations per minute—a terrifying force that would prove fatal in seconds. Now, investigators from Italy’s civil aviation authority are zeroing in on how the man managed to access the runway without detection.
The Abandoned Red Fiat 500
Local reports from Bergamo News reveal the victim was an Italian national, neither a passenger nor airport staff. Police have focused their investigation on a red Fiat 500, abandoned in the airport’s internal parking lot near the bus stops—a vehicle authorities believe the 35-year-old man used to reach Orio al Serio Airport.
Witnesses and airport sources describe how the man appeared to take a wrong turn at a roundabout, abruptly stopped his car, exited, and started running. Alert officers nearby sensed something was amiss, and one gave chase.
The man then forced open a secured door in the arrivals area, gaining direct access to the runway. Moments later, the fatal accident occurred.
Support and Investigation Underway
The traumatic event left many witnesses shaken. Psychological support is being offered to passengers and crew who saw the incident unfold.
Both the airport and airline have pledged full cooperation as authorities continue their painstaking investigation to understand how such a deadly breach of safety could happen—and what led to the tragedy.