An airport in Italy was temporarily closed after a man was reportedly sucked into a plane engine.

The victim, identified by local media as Andrea Russo, 35, was neither a passenger nor an airport employee. He allegedly forced his way onto the runway at the Milan Bergamo Airport on Tuesday, July 8.

He was reportedly being pursued by police onto the tarmac when the tragic incident occurred.

Despite efforts to stop the suspect, authorities were unable to apprehend him before he reached a Volotea aircraft that was preparing for take-off.

Giovanni Sanga, CEO of the group that operates Milan Bergamo Airport, said in a statement: 'Today's dramatic event has shocked the entire airport community. First of all, I would like to express my personal condolences and those of the company to the victim's family, to whom we are close in this terrible moment.

'From the very beginning, in addition to ensuring the immediate management of the emergency and assistance to passengers and crew, we turned our attention to the colleagues who witnessed the episode and were deeply affected by it.

'At 10:35 am today, July 8, at Milan Bergamo Airport, a person, neither a passenger nor an employee of companies operating at the airport, despite the prompt counteraction of the police forces present, managed to enter the aircraft apron, then reaching the taxiway. Here he approached the aircraft of a scheduled flight, stationary and with its engines running, losing his life.

'The exact dynamics of the incident are being examined by the judicial authorities to whom SACBO continues to provide all the necessary collaboration.'

Footage from the scene shows emergency responders surrounding the aircraft and assessing the situation.

Flight operations were suspended from 10:20 am until midday local time.

The 154 passengers aboard the Airbus A319 were rebooked on a later flight and offered psychological support.

Crew members who may have been traumatised by the event were also given assistance.