Witnesses heard 'hellish noise' as person was sucked into plane engine and killed at Amsterdam airport
Today (29 May) a person has died after being sucked into a plane engine at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam.
One person was caught in the engine of a KLM Cityhopper Embraer E190, with the emergency services being alerted to the death at around 3.00pm local time.
Schiphol Airport issued a statement on the matter, saying: "Today there was a horrible incident in which a person ended up in an aircraft engine.
"Our thoughts go out to the relatives and the Royal Military Police is investigating this incident."
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The flight, KLM Flight 1341, had been due to fly from the Netherlands to Denmark and passengers and crew had been on board the plane at the time of the death.
KLM said in a statement: "A fatal incident took place at Schiphol today during which a person ended up in a running aircraft engine.
"Sadly, this person has died. The flight concerned was KL1341 bound for Billund.
"We are currently taking care of the passengers and employees who witnessed the incident at Schiphol.
"The circumstances are currently under investigation. For further information – once available - we refer you to the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee."
The death was witnessed by a number of people at the airport, who will be provided with psychological support for what they have seen today.
Witnesses to the horrific incident told De Telegraaf they heard a 'hellish noise' and then saw smoke coming from the engine shortly afterwards.
The engine was running at the time of the incident, and someone told the outlet that the plane was going through a 'pushback' manoeuvre where it is moved away from its parked position in the airport.
Dutch minister for infrastructure Mark Harbers said: "Terrible news about a fatal accident today at Schiphol. My condolences go out to the relatives of the victim and the people who witnessed the accident."
The Dutch Safety Board has sent three inspectors to investigate the incident, while military police announced that they were also investigating.
At the moment little is known about the person who died after being sucked into a plane engine, including who they were and whether they worked at the airport or not.
What exactly happened will be up to the investigation to determine, and passengers who may have witnessed the death may be crucial to piecing together the events which led to loss of life.
Further updates are likely to come from the Marechaussee, who are currently investigating.
Topics: World News
Joe Harker