Tram Derailment in Milan Leaves Two Dead and Dozens Injured
A tragic incident unfolded in Milan when a crowded tram derailed and crashed into a building, resulting in two fatalities and approximately 40 injuries. The derailment occurred on Viale Vittorio Veneto, a major road near Milan's Central Station, where a fully occupied tram came off the tracks and ploughed into a shopfront.
Emergency Response and Casualty Details
Emergency services, including fire crews and paramedics, flooded the area, with 13 ambulances dispatched to the scene. Passengers were escorted away, wrapped in thermal blankets, as emergency vehicles lined the street. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala confirmed that two people lost their lives: one passenger on board the tram and another person on the street who was struck as the tram derailed. One victim was an Italian person in their 60s, while the second was a foreign national living in the city. The mayor stated that none of the other injuries are believed to be life-threatening.
Eyewitness Accounts and Scene of Chaos
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos following the crash. One passenger told ANSA, "I thought it was an earthquake. I was sitting and ended up on the floor, along with the other passengers. It was terrible." Another witness, Valerio Gaglione, reported to AFP that a man was trapped under the tram and there were many injured people inside, including an old man covered in blood.
Investigation into the Cause of the Crash
According to early reports, the tram was meant to continue straight but instead turned and left the rails. Witnesses mentioned that the tram had been travelling fast, though it was unclear if it exceeded the 50km per hour speed limit for trams. It is being reported that the driver may not have activated a track switch and missed the final stop before the crash. There is also speculation that the driver may have suffered a medical episode, but none of these reports has been formally verified. The driver was taken to hospital with injuries, and authorities collected a blood sample for alcohol and drug testing as per standard procedure.
Impact on the City and Official Responses
The crash has rattled Milan, coming just days after the city concluded its Winter Olympics events. Milan, home to about 1.3 million people, has been teeming with visitors in recent weeks and is now in the midst of Fashion Week, with the Paralympics still to come. The city's extensive tram network is a key transport link for both locals and overseas guests. Prosecutor Marcello Viola, leading the inquiry, described the collision as "devastating." The public prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into possible negligent homicide and bodily harm. Mayor Sala indicated that the incident "doesn't look like it was a technical issue, but was connected to the driver," while cautioning that the investigation is ongoing. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her "deepest condolences" to the victims' families.
Details of the Tram Involved
The 25-metre yellow and white tram, one of the newest models in the city's fleet and in service for only a few months, seats up to 66 people. It was left sprawled across the roadway with its driver's cab severely damaged after the crash.
