Air India staffer sucked by aircraft engine, dies

Mumbai, Dec 16  In a freak accident, an Air India ground staffer was sucked in by an aircraft engine at the Mumbai airport on Wednesday evening, official sources said.

The incident took place at bay No.28 around 8.40 p.m. when a flight was being readied for departure.

The victim was sucked in by the running engine of the aircraft which was scheduled to depart at 8.44 p.m. as Mumbai-Hyderabad flight AI-619. It was delayed by an hour due to the incident.

The staffer's identify was yet to be ascertained as the body has been virtually reduced to shreds.

Air India CMD Ashwani Lohani said he was deeply saddened and regretted the tragic incident.

"The incident is being investigated. Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family," Lohani said.