Ground worker dies after being struck by French Bee aircraft in Montreal

A ground worker at Montréal–Trudeau International Airport has died after being struck by an aircraft operated by French bee, police said.

The incident happened Monday evening as an Airbus A350-900, registered F-HREY, was moving backwards ahead of its scheduled departure to Paris Orly. Police said the employee was hit during this maneuver.

Airport emergency procedures kicked in around 19:30 local time, and emergency crews responded to the scene. The worker did not survive.

The flight's departure was affected, though details on rescheduling were not immediately available. Authorities have not released the worker's identity or specified the exact circumstances that led to the collision.

An investigation is expected, though no findings have been announced yet. It remains unclear whether the aircraft was under its own power or being assisted by a tow vehicle at the time. No cause has been determined.

French bee, a French low-cost long-haul carrier, has not issued a detailed public statement beyond acknowledging the event. Montréal–Trudeau airport officials have also not commented further on the ground operations involved.

Aviation safety authorities tend to scrutinize ground-handling incidents involving moving aircraft closely, given how close personnel work to large aircraft during pushback and taxi operations. Further details are expected as the investigation proceeds.