One killed after falling into KLM passenger plane engine

One person has been killed after falling into a KLM passenger plane engine at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport.

Emergency crews carried out a ‘massive’ response after the horror tragedy was first reported around 3pm this afternoon.

Passengers and crew members were reported to be on board the Embraer 190 aircraft when the incident occurred.

Flight 1341, operated by the Dutch airline, was set to depart from Schiphol in Amsterdam for Billund in Denmark.

It was unclear from initial reports whether the victim was travelling with the airline or worked at the airport.

‘Today there was a horrible incident where a person ended up in an airplane engine,’ the official Schiphol account posted on Twitter/X this afternoon.

‘Our thoughts go out to the relatives and we care for the passengers and colleagues who witnessed this.’

Investigators from the Dutch military police, Marechausse, have said that is was too early to say whether this was an ‘incident’, or a form of suicide.

The airport confirmed an investigation was underway to gather more details on the case, led by the Royal Military Police. 

The ‘Koninklijke Marechaussee’ Royal Military Police said in a statement: ‘An incident occurred this afternoon on the Schiphol platform where a person fell into a running aircraft engine and died.’

‘All passengers and employees of the flight in question have disembarked and are being taken care of,’ the statement added.

Psychological support will be provided for the passengers witness to the incident, military police said. 

They noted that the passengers may still be ‘important witnesses’ in helping them understand exactly what happened. 

The engine was running at the time of the incident, suggesting the plane was preparing to take-off, according to Dutch daily De Telegraaf.

An airport employee told the outlet the plane was reversing in a ‘pushback’ before taking off.

KLM Flight 1341 was due to take off at 2:25pm. 

Airline KLM said in a statement: ‘Today there was a horrible incident at Schiphol in which a person ended up in a running aircraft engine.

‘Sadly the person has died.

‘We receive passengers and employees who have seen this at Schiphol. The circumstances are currently being investigated.

‘For further information – as soon as available – we refer to the Royal Military Police.’

Mark Harbers, Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, said on Twitter/X: ‘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.’