A man has been been killed after he was sucked into a plane engine at a major European airport.
Andrea Russo, 35, who worked as a builder, was killed in the horrendous incident in Milan, Italy.
Operations at Orio al Serio Airport, also known as Milano Bergamo, came to a halt at 10.20am local time yesterday after a "fatal accident" involving a Volotea plane on the tarmac.
According to Volotea, Russo had no association with the airline and was not a passenger aboard the plane.
Andrea Russo, 35, was killed in the horrendous incident
FB
It is believed that he may have broken into the airport after he drove the wrong way down a road.
Russo apparently abandoned his car before running towards the terminal.
Public Prosecutor Maurizio Romanelli said: "We are investigating any possible relationships with the airport or the world of aeroplanes.
"In the car with which he arrived at the airport, full of all kinds of material, we have not found anything that could provide any kind of explanation."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
According to La voce del Patriota, witnesses said police chased Russo as he sprinted across the runway.
He ran towards an Airbus A319 Volotea aircraft, with sources telling local media that Russo was pulled into the aircraft engine just as the plane was ready to depart.
The flight was reportedly completing its "pushback" move to exit the parking area, the phrase used before heading to take off.
The plane can be equipped with two main engines, which spin at nearly 15,000 rotations per minute.
A Public Prosecutor said they are investigating the incident
X/AirNavRadar
Airport operator SACBO confirmed that a "problem has occurred on the taxiway".
Airline Volotea noted: "We're investigating reports of an incident involving our flight V73511 BGY-OVD, which occurred on the ground after boarding was completed and ready for departure.
"We're aware that one individual has sustained serious injuries involving the aircraft engine."
The news follows at least 18 people being injured after a Ryanair plane burst into flames at an airport in Majorca, Spain.
Most Read
