A tram derailed and crashed into a building in central Milan on Friday, leading to the deaths of two individuals and injuring over twenty others. The incident occurred on Vittorio Veneto, a major thoroughfare in the city, coinciding with Milan’s seasonal fashion shows and the interlude between the Winter Olympics and Paralympics.
The tram, numbered 9, was operating in the heart of Italy’s financial capital. It was traveling at a high speed when it unexpectedly veered onto a switch used by another tram line, departing from its intended route. Footage from the scene, aired by Sky TG24, shows the tram nearly tipping over as it navigated the turn before colliding with a building.
Milan’s Mayor, Beppe Sala, suggested that human error may have played a role in the accident. He indicated that the driver failed to switch to the correct line, which would have allowed the tram to continue straight. Sala described the driver as experienced, having worked for only an hour on the shift before the incident. The driver missed a prior stop and is currently hospitalized with injuries, where he will be questioned about the events leading up to the crash.
According to Mayor Sala, the fatalities included a tram passenger and a pedestrian. He confirmed that none of the other injured parties are in critical condition. Emergency services, including dozens of ambulances, fire trucks, and police vehicles, quickly arrived at the scene to evacuate passengers, who were wrapped in thermal blankets.
The public transport authority in Milan has stated that it is cooperating with the local prosecutor’s office to thoroughly investigate the cause and circumstances of the derailment.
A tram accident in Milan resulted in two fatalities and numerous injuries. Investigations are underway to determine the cause, with early indications pointing to human error.