Bergamo, Italy — In a horrifying and deeply unsettling incident that has left both travelers and authorities in shock, a man was killed after being sucked into the engine of a passenger plane at Milan’s Bergamo–Orio al Serio International Airport on Tuesday morning, July 8th, 2025.
According to initial reports, the man—believed to be 35 years old and not affiliated with airport personnel or passengers—somehow bypassed security and made his way onto the active taxiway. At approximately 10:20 a.m., while a Volotea Airbus A319 was preparing for takeoff, the individual ran toward the aircraft and was instantly pulled into the engine.
The aircraft, operating Flight V7-3511 from Bergamo to Asturias, Spain, was fully boarded with 154 passengers and six crew members when the incident occurred. The shock of the situation immediately grounded all activity at the airport.
Airport operations were suspended for nearly two hours, from 10:20 a.m. to around 12:00 p.m., as emergency responders and law enforcement flooded the scene. At least 19 flights were canceled, and numerous others were diverted to nearby airports including Milan–Malpensa, Bologna, and Verona.
Though the man’s identity has not been made public, authorities are treating the tragedy as a possible suicide. According to Italian media sources, early evidence suggests the act may have been intentional, with investigators now focusing on how he managed to breach airport security in the first place.
The airport operator, SACBO, confirmed that the event occurred on the taxiway, not the runway, and emphasized that the individual had no ties to airport or airline personnel. An internal and criminal investigation has now been launched to uncover how such a devastating security lapse was possible.
In an official statement, Volotea Airlines expressed deep sorrow over the incident, offering condolences to the family of the deceased while clarifying that the victim was not a passenger or crew member. The airline has since launched its own internal review and is offering psychological support to both passengers and crew members who witnessed or were affected by the event.
A toll-free support line has also been made available to help those dealing with the trauma.
Flights resumed shortly after noon, but the incident has raised serious concerns about airport perimeter security in one of Italy’s busiest travel hubs. Aviation experts have already begun questioning how an unauthorized person could access an active taxiway without detection.
Authorities will continue piecing together surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and conducting psychological autopsies to understand the man’s background and intentions. Meanwhile, travelers at Bergamo Airport are expressing concern, sadness, and anxiety as the terminal begins to return to routine operation.
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