Milan tram derailment leaves two dead, dozens injured
Milan tram derailment leaves two dead, dozens injured
A crowded Line 9 tram derailed in central Milan during rush hour, crashing into a building and leaving multiple casualties as emergency crews respond.
Two people have died and up to 40 were injured after a tram derailed in central Milan during the late afternoon rush hour. The Line 9 tram on Viale Vittorio Veneto left its track, crashed into a building, and then struck a restaurant window before stopping. One of the fatalities is believed to be a pedestrian struck by the tram, with the other casualty and most of the injured being passengers.
Emergency crews quickly converged on the scene, setting up a triage area and pulling injured commuters from the wreckage as civil protection teams established a temporary shelter nearby. Eyewitnesses described a loud bang and a sudden lurch as the tram veered off course, with some passengers recalling falling to the floor and clinging to seats as the vehicle picked up speed before hitting the building.
Investigators are examining potential causes, including the possibility of excessive speed on a sharp turn. While the investigation continues, city authorities and residents expressed shock at how a routine ride could end in such a crisis in central Milan. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offered condolences to the families, and officials pledged a thorough inquiry and strengthened safety checks on urban tram networks.
Residents and commuters were urged to avoid the area as rescue and repair work moved forward. The incident has revived discussions about transport safety in crowded urban districts and the need for ongoing maintenance and signaling reviews across the network.
