A tragic and mysterious incident occurred on Tuesday morning (July 8, 2025) at Milan Bergamo Airport in Italy, where a 35-year-old man reportedly died after being sucked into the engine of an airplane. Authorities are investigating whether the incident was a suicide or an accident.
The event unfolded around 10:20 a.m., causing all flights to be temporarily suspended and the airport to close briefly. The aircraft involved, operated by Volotea under flight number V73511 bound for Asturias, was taxiing along the runway when the shocking event took place.
According to Italian news agency ANSA, the man may have intentionally tried to end his life, though this has not yet been officially confirmed. Witnesses reported that police officers were chasing him as he ran toward the plane before being pulled into the engine’s turbines.
The victim was identified as Andrea Russo from Brescia, near Bergamo. He had previously struggled with drug addiction but reportedly overcame it in recent years. Friends and family described him as a good person who was trying to rebuild his life. He worked in residential maintenance and lived in an apartment with a relative.
On the day of the incident, Russo arrived at the airport in his car, exited the vehicle, and rushed toward the arrivals area. He opened a door and made his way onto the tarmac, heading directly toward the aircraft’s turbines while the plane was taxiing — ultimately leading to his tragic death.
So far, authorities have not determined what might have driven him to such an act. Prosecutor Maurizio Romanelli stated that investigators are looking into possible connections between Russo and the airport or aviation world. Nothing found inside his car offered any explanation for his actions.
Local mayor Lorena Boni expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, emphasizing the fragility of human life and the importance of community support during difficult times. She said the entire community is rallying silently around Russo’s family and friends, hoping they find comfort in each other’s love.
Passengers aboard the flight reported hearing a loud noise shortly before takeoff. Some witnessed parts of the horrifying scene, describing how Russo broke away from security personnel, opened a door, and ran toward the aircraft. One eyewitness claimed to see him hit one engine before being sucked into another.
“We heard a bang and saw people putting their hands to their heads,” said a Spanish passenger. “We were told not to look outside because what happened was too disturbing.”
Pilots later informed passengers about a “very serious incident involving a person.” Another traveler recounted seeing Russo running away from airport staff just moments before impact.
Volotea swiftly evacuated passengers from the aircraft and relocated them to a waiting lounge inside the terminal. A new departure time was set for 3:55 p.m., and the airline is cooperating fully with authorities.
Authorities are still investigating how and why Russo gained access to the restricted airside area.