A tragic accident occurred at Milan Bergamo Airport on Tuesday, July 9, when 35-year-old Andrea Russo was killed after being pulled into a plane engine. The Volotea Airbus A319 was preparing for takeoff to Asturias, Spain, when Russo entered a restricted area on the taxiway.

Russo, who was reportedly a recovering addict trying to rebuild his life, was not a passenger or airport employee. Authorities believe he drove into the airport the wrong way, abandoned his car, and ran through a security door before reaching the aircraft. He was killed instantly.

SACBO, the company managing the airport, and Volotea Airlines expressed deep condolences. “This tragic event has deeply shaken the entire airport community,” said SACBO president Giovanni Sanga. Volotea confirmed the incident involved their plane, calling it a “devastating accident.”

All flights at the airport were suspended until midday as emergency crews responded. Some flights were delayed or diverted. The incident remains under investigation, with authorities still piecing together how Russo accessed the secured area.