A Tragic Tram Accident in Milan: Two Dead, 38 Injured
A devastating tram accident in Milan on Friday resulted in two fatalities and 38 injuries, leaving the city in shock. The incident occurred when a tram derailed and crashed into a building, causing widespread panic and chaos.
The mayor of Milan, Giuseppe Sala, confirmed that one of the victims was a pedestrian who was struck by the tram as it derailed, while the second victim was a passenger. Firefighters swiftly responded to the scene, providing emergency blankets to shocked passengers and tending to the injured. Ambulances transported the more seriously injured to hospitals for further care.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her deepest condolences, emphasizing the tragedy of the loss of life. Initial investigations suggest that the driver may have been responsible, as media reports indicate that the driver did not activate a track switch and had reportedly run through the last stop on the line before the accident.
Witnesses described harrowing scenes, with one witness, Valerio Gaglione, recounting how a man was trapped under the tram, his arm caught. Inside the tram, numerous passengers were injured, with one witness describing an elderly man covered in blood. The impact of the tram on the building was described as 'devastating' by prosecutor Marcello Viola.
The victims were identified as an Italian man in his 60s and a foreign national who lived in the city. Mayor Sala noted that the accident did not appear to be a technical issue but rather a driver-related incident.
Witnesses also reported that the tram was traveling at a high speed, but it is unclear if it was exceeding the 50km/h speed limit for trams. Anna, who was in her office nearby, described hearing an enormous bang and seeing part of the tram inside a shop. The yellow and white tram was seen hanging across the road, just outside the city center.
One passenger, speaking to ANSA news agency, compared the experience to an earthquake, emphasizing the sudden and violent nature of the accident. Milan, which has recently hosted the 2026 Winter Olympics and is preparing for the Paralympics, is now grappling with the aftermath of this tragic event, which has also coincided with Milan Fashion Week.
