Just before takeoff, a 35-year-old man was sucked into a jet engine at Milan Bergamo Airport, where he tragically perished in a freak accident.

Around 10:35 a.m. local time, the incident happened on a Volotea Airbus A319 that was getting ready for a flight to Oviedo, Spain, in front of shocked employees and passengers. An investigation into the horrific incident has been started by authorities.

According to reports, the victim, Andrea Russo of Calcinate, drove a red Fiat 500 into a restricted area, violating airport security. Before stepping onto the tarmac, he left the car in the airport’s internal parking lot.

According to witnesses, Russo ran across the runway after opening a locked door. Airport security tried to stop him, but he made it to the active plane and was dragged into one of its turbofan engines.

On social media, Volotea Airlines acknowledged the incident, writing: “We regret to confirm that at 10:35 a.m., flight V73511 from BGY-OVD was involved in an incident at Milan-Bergamo Airport.” Serious injuries were sustained by one non-company employee who was not on board. Six crew members and all 154 passengers were unharmed.

Russo was neither a traveler nor a worker at the airport. Although they are still investigating the motive, authorities think the act might have been intentional.

According to Public Prosecutor Maurizio Romanelli, Russo’s car had a number of objects, but none of them provided a clear explanation. Investigators are still looking into any connections he might have had to aviation or the airport.