Man killed by plane jet engine at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport 'crawled inside machine', police say

A man who died inside an airplane’s engine at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam had climbed inside the machine intentionally, police believe.

Passengers and crew were reportedly on board the plane, a KLM flight bound for Billund in Denmark - home of Legoland - when the tragedy happened at roughly 3pm on Wednesday.

Royal Netherlands Marechaussee force, which is running the investigation, said on Thursday the man was a member of staff at the airport, and had “intentionally climbed into the engine”.

"The deceased man has been identified as an employee of a company operating at the airport,” said a force spokesperson.

"The investigation has revealed that he intentionally climbed into the engine, indicating this is a case of suicide.

“Out of respect for the victim and their loved ones, no further statements will be made."

Dutch media reported “a massive response” by emergency services at the scene on Wednesday.

A spokesman for the Dutch military, which polices the airport, said: “All passengers and employees of the flight in question have disembarked and are being taken care of.”

A spokesperson for the airport said: “There was a horrible incident today in which a person ended up in an aircraft engine.

“Our thoughts go out to the relatives and we are providing assistance for the passengers and colleagues who witnessed this.”

The airport, which is about six miles away from the Dutch capital, is Europe’s third busiest with almost 72 million passengers coming through it in one year.

It opened more than a century ago and is the principal hub for KLM which is the Dutch national carrier.

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