‘One person dies’ in accident on Italian airport taxiway – forcing flights to divert

An Italian international airport has been closed after a person reportedly died in an accident on a taxiway.

According to Corriere della Sera, the victim was not a passenger or airport staff member, but is believed to have run onto the tarmac and into the path of an aircraft that was taxing for takeoff.

Flights scheduled to arrive at Milan Bergamo Airport have now been diverted this morning following the ‘fatal accident’. 

At 11:50am one flight was diverted to Bologna, two were redirected to Verona, and six were sent to Milan Malpensa. 

Eight departing flights were cancelled after oeprations at the airport were suspended at 10:20am, according to local reports. 

Sacbo, the operator of the Bergamo airport, said: ‘An incident that occurred on the taxiway, the causes of which are being investigated by law enforcement.’ 

In an update posted to X, the Lombardy Airports Association wrote: ‘Traffic to and from #orio #Bgy is suspended due to a serious issue on the apron.

‘Possible delays, diversions, and cancellations throughout the morning. Updates will follow’.

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.