First picture of builder killed after he was 'sucked into plane's engine'

Volotea Airlines flight on the runway (Image: Getty)

The picture of a man killed after being sucked into a plane engine at an airport in Italy has been released. Andrea Russo, 35, parked his red Fiat at Milan Bergamo Il Caravaggio International Airport before running onto the runway.

Mr Russo was a recovering addict and had been in recovery, according to reports. Locals offered tributes that revealed Andrea was "a good person trying to rebuild a life". The builder was killed instantly after being sucked into the engine of a Volotea Airlines flight as it was about to take off for Asturias, Spain.

Andrea Russo was sucked into an aircraft (Image: Handout)

"We are investigating about possible relationships with the airport or the world of planes," local prosecutor Maurizio Romanelli told the media.

"In the car with which he arrived at the airport, heaps of all kinds of material were found but we couldn’t find anything that could give any kind of explanation", he added.

A Ryanair flight at Orio al Serio airport (Image: Getty)

Volotea Airlines said one of its aircraft was involved in the incident at Milan Bergamo, with 154 passengers and six crew on board the Airbus A319.

A spokesperson said: "A person, who was not a passenger or airport personnel, trespassed onto the runway while the aircraft was preparing for takeoff. Sadly, the person was struck by the engine and has passed away. The airline deeply regrets this tragic incident and extends its condolences to the family of the person involved.

"All 154 passengers on board, along with the 6 Volotea crew members, are physically safe. Passengers were promptly deboarded and taken to a designated area, where provisions were made available.

"Psychological support was also offered to both passengers and crew members. The affected passengers were rebooked on another Volotea flight that departed at 16:43h local time and landed in Asturias at 18:50h local time.

"The airline also deployed additional staff at Asturias Airport to receive passengers and provide support upon arrival. Volotea has fully cooperated with local authorities and Milan-Bergamo Airport throughout the investigation.

"The airline would like to express its gratitude to its crew for their swift response and support of passengers, as well as to its passengers for their cooperation during this difficult situation. The safety and well-being of Volotea’s passengers, crew, and airport partners is the airline’s top priority. The airline expresses its condolences once again to all those affected by this incident."

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