Tram Derails in Milan, Killing Two and Injuring 38 in Building Crash
A tram derailed and crashed into a building in Milan on Friday, resulting in two fatalities and 38 injuries. The incident occurred as the vehicle veered off its tracks, causing significant damage and chaos in the city.
Mayor Points to Driver as Possible Cause
Milan's mayor, Giuseppe Sala, stated at the scene that the accident does not appear to be due to a technical issue but rather "was connected to the driver." He confirmed that one of the deceased was struck by the tram during the derailment, while the other was a passenger on board.
Firefighters quickly responded, wrapping shocked passengers in emergency blankets, and ambulances transported the more seriously injured to nearby hospitals. The crash happened in an area just outside Milan's historic centre, with the yellow and white tram seen slung across the road.
Witnesses Describe Terrifying Scene
Witnesses reported a harrowing aftermath. Valerio Gaglione told AFP, "There was a man who was trapped under the tram, his arm was trapped. There were lots of people injured inside the tram. I saw an old man completely covered in blood." Another witness, Anna, a 27-year-old nearby office worker, said, "I just heard an enormous bang. I saw a bit of the tram had gone into a shop."
One passenger described the moment to ANSA news agency, saying, "I thought it was an earthquake. I was sitting and ended up on the floor, along with the other passengers. It was terrible." Prosecutor Marcello Viola, leading the investigation, noted the impact on the building was "devastating."
Investigation and Context
Initial media reports suggest the driver may not have activated a track switch and had reportedly run through the last stop on the line before the accident. It remains unclear if the tram was exceeding the 50km per hour speed limit, as witnesses mentioned it was traveling fast.
The victims included an Italian man in his 60s and an immigrant resident of the city. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her "deepest condolences" over the deaths. This incident comes as Milan recently hosted the 2026 Winter Olympics and is preparing for the Paralympics, with the city currently staging Milan Fashion Week, highlighting a contrast between celebration and tragedy.
Authorities continue to investigate the precise causes, focusing on driver actions and potential safety lapses in the tram system.
