Investigators can’t determine the gender of the person sucked into the KLM jet engine at Amsterdam airport

Several Dutch outlets have said the victim may have been an airport worker involved in a takeoff manoeuvre

INVESTIGATORS cannot tell if the person who died after they were sucked into a plane’s running engine yesterday was a man or a woman.

The unidentified victim was killed at Amsterdam’s main airport when they were pulled into the jet turbines.

Emergency workers on the tarmac at Schiphol airport yesterday afternoonCredit: EPA

Fire engine trucks and ambulances on the sceneCredit: UKNIP

More than 80 people were taken off the plane after the incidentCredit: EPA 

Passengers and crew on board the KLM plane were witness to the grisly incident on the tarmac at Schiphol airport.

In a press conference last night, Dutch military police said they were still trying to identify the sex of the victim.

They also said it was too early to determine how the horror incident had happened.

Witnesses told Dutch outlet De Telegraaf that they heard a "hellish noise" before watching plumes of smoke pour from the plane.

One said: "Many people saw it happen."

The Cityhopper Embraer E190, carrying more than 80 passengers, was scheduled to take off for Billund in Denmark at 2.25pm.

An airport employee said the horrific incident happened during "pushback", as the plane was moved back on the tarmac in preparation for take-off.

Another said the tragic victim had been sucked into into the jet turbines after the crew finished completing safety instructions for those onboard.

Several Dutch outlets have said the individual could have been an airport worker involved in the pushback manoeuvre.

Officials have yet to confirm any details about whether they were an employee, passenger or someone else on the tarmac.

A source told Dutch outlet AD: "After the plane was pushed back to take off, someone walked into the engine.

"It was neither an intern nor an employee."

The Netherlands Labour Inspectorate said they are investigating whether or not the victim was an employee of the airport - and the processes on the tarmac.

Spokesperson Jeroen Toet said: "If there is an industrial accident, we will start a criminal investigation."

Over 80 people were removed from the plane and interviewed by military cops after the incident.

Some of them saw the moment itself - and were deemed "important witnesses", AD reports.

A police spokesperson told the outlet: "They may be able to help us with the investigation."

Officials also provided psychological support for the possibly traumatised witnesses.

A replacement flight was arranged last night, taking off around 8.30pm and landing in the Danish city of Billund at around 9.30pm.

A spokesperson said it was flown by a replacement crew, however, as the tragic incident had a "major impact" on the earlier staff.

In a statement, KLM said: "We are currently taking care of the passengers and employees who witnessed the incident at Schiphol."

They added: "The circumstances are currently under investigation".

In a statement, the airport said: "A horrific incident occurred today where a person became trapped in the engine of an aircraft.

"Our thoughts are with the loved ones and we care for the passengers and colleagues who witnessed this incident.

"The Royal Military Police are currently conducting an investigation."

The pilots union VNV added: "Our first concern and thoughts go out to those involved and their relatives.

"We offer our cooperation and expertise in the investigation into the exact cause."

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is Europe’s third largest.

Elizabeth Baker