Air India technician 'sucked in' by aircraft engine at Mumbai airport

NEW DELHI: A technician working for state-owned Air India died in a "mishap" at an airport in Mumbai on Wednesday evening, according the airline's official Twitter account.

The incident occurred during the pushback of a flight, said the tweet, which was attributed to Air India chief Ashwani Lohani. It did not elaborate on the cause of the technician's death, and said it was being investigated.

AI CMD MrAshwani Lohani said we are deeply saddened & regret the tragic incident @ Mumbai airport this evening when an Air India technician

— Air India (@airindia) December 16, 2015

died in a mishap during pushback of flight AI 619. The incident is being investigated. Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

— Air India (@airindia) December 16, 2015

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Multiple news outlets in India reported that the Air India employee had been "sucked in" by one of the aircraft's engines.

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"At the moment, we are absolutely clueless on how this person was near the aircraft," a source at the airline told the Hindustan Times newspaper. "Only an inquiry can establish whose negligence it was and whether the engine should have been switched on at that time," the person said.

In recent years, India's national carrier has been struggling to keep up in India's fast-growing aviation market.