New Details Revealed About Man Fatally ‘Sucked' Into Plane's Engine - Including That He Was Attempting to ‘Rebuild' His Life

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2 days ago

The man who died after being "sucked" into a plane engine at an airport in Milan, Italy, on July 8 has reportedly been identified as Andrea Russo
Russo, 35, allegedly approached a Volotea Airlines jet after forcing his way onto the runway at Il Caravaggio International Airport
"We are investigating about possible relationships with the airport or the world of planes," local prosecutor Maurizio Romanelli said, according to the U.K. newspaper MetroNew details have emerged about the man in Italy who was killed after being "sucked" into the engine of a plane earlier this week.
According to the Italian news outlet Corriere della Sera, the 35-year-old man involved in the fatal incident has been named as Italian builder Andrea Russo.
At around 10:20 a.m. local time on July 8, Russo broke into a restricted area on the runway at Il Caravaggio International Airport (also known as Milan Bergamo Airport) and allegedly ran into the engine of a Volotea Airlines jet, 7 News Australia and U.K. newspaper Metro reported, citing Italian news outlets.
Russo had abandoned his car at the airport moments before running into a restricted area of the runway, where he 'threw himself into one of the two turbofans' on the plane heading to Asturias, Spain, per the outlets. Russo was not a passenger or staff member of the airport, Volotea Airlines confirmed to PEOPLE.
In footage obtained by Corriere della Sera, Russo is seen running towards the plane after breaking free from border police officers. In another shot, he attempts to climb up the side of one of the engines on the plane.
Russo falls to the ground and jumps back up, before appearing to leap towards the engine. His body then falls to the ground as staff watch in horror.
According to local police sources, the man had been in recovery after a history of 'drug problems' and planned to "try and rebuild his life,' per Metro.
A witness told local media, 'At first he threw himself against the casings — the protections of the right engine of the plane. Then he went around and either threw himself or was sucked into the propeller of the left engine,' 7 News Australia reported.
Volotea Airlines previously said in a statement to PEOPLE, "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 and six crew members on board were safe following the incident, Volotea Airlines confirmed on X.
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"Psychological support was also offered to both passengers and crew members. The affected passengers were rebooked on another Volotea flight that departed at 4:43 p.m. local time and landed in Asturias at 6:50 p.m. local time," Volotea Airlines added in a statement, per Metro.
The incident is being investigated along with Russo's possible links to the airport.
"We are investigating about possible relationships with the airport or the world of planes," local prosecutor Maurizio Romanelli said, according to Metro. "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."
PEOPLE has reached out to Il Caravaggio International Airport, Volotea Airlines and local police for comment.
Read the original article on People