Milan Tram Derailment Leaves Two Dead and Dozens Injured in Central City Crash
A devastating tram derailment occurred in the heart of Milan on Friday, resulting in the tragic deaths of two individuals and leaving at least forty people injured. The incident, which brought traffic to a standstill, unfolded on Vittorio Veneto Street, a location situated close to the city's bustling Central Station.
Chaotic Scene Captured on Dashcam Footage
Disturbing dashcam footage has emerged, showing the precise moment the line 9 tram began to tilt perilously onto its side after leaving the tracks. The vehicle subsequently smashed violently into a shop window, causing significant structural damage. Onlookers were seen reacting with alarm, running down the street and exiting their vehicles to approach the crash site in a state of shock and concern.
Emergency Response and Passenger Accounts
Local emergency services mounted a rapid and substantial response, deploying thirteen ambulances to the scene. Civil protection teams established a temporary tent to provide immediate assistance and triage for the injured. One of the two fatalities was reportedly crushed to death, tragically trapped beneath the wheel of the locomotive.
Passengers aboard the tram described a harrowing experience. One individual told the ANSA news agency that the impact felt like an 'earthquake', stating, 'I was sitting down and I fell to the floor, along with the other passengers. It was terrible. Luckily, I only hit my knee, but the man next to me was bleeding from his head.' Another witness recounted, 'We heard something downstairs, then the tram derailed and we were all thrown around. The tram veered, picked up some speed, and hit a building.'
Investigation Launched Amid Fashion Week
Authorities have immediately launched an investigation to determine the cause of this tragedy. Milan's Mayor, Beppe Sala, personally visited the scene to assess the incident firsthand. The crash occurred as the city is currently hosting its world-renowned Fashion Week, though it remains unclear if this had any bearing on the events.
The Milan transport company, ATM, issued a statement expressing that it was 'deeply shocked' and offered its sympathy to all those affected. The company confirmed it is cooperating fully with authorities to understand the cause. According to reports from Italian news channel Rai News, the on-duty prosecutor is opening a case for manslaughter and bodily harm due to routine procedure.
Focus on New Tram Model
The derailed tram was identified as a new Tramlink model, one of the newest vehicles in operation in Milan. Remarkably, it had begun service in the city just days prior to the accident. This specific model is twenty-five metres long, features three carriages, and has sixty-six seats.
A total of seventy-four Tramlink trams commenced operations in Milan on February 20th, with plans for them to gradually replace the older fleet. ATM reportedly invested a substantial 190 million euros into these new trams, which were manufactured by the Spanish company Stadler Valencia. The area surrounding the crash site has been completely closed down as recovery and investigative work continues.
