Milan tram derailment leaves one dead and 40 injured in city center
One person has died and 40 others were injured after a modern tram derailed and struck a building in central Milan on Friday.
Fire department spokesperson Vittorio Di Giacomo confirmed the incident, stating that the vehicle veered off the tracks on Vittorio Veneto street. The tram, identified as one of the city's newest models, crashed directly into a retail storefront.
Emergency services deployed 13 ambulances to the scene immediately following the impact. Law enforcement officials have cordoned off the entire perimeter to facilitate rescue operations and prevent crowds from approaching the wreckage.
Official reactions and investigation
Milan’s public transport company, ATM, released a statement saying the organization is "profoundly shaken" by the tragedy. The company is currently collaborating with judicial authorities to determine the exact cause of the derailment.
While the investigation is ongoing, no official cause has been established for the accident. The site remains under strict police control.
Witness accounts from the scene
"I heard a massive bang," said Anna, a 27-year-old office worker nearby. She described seeing a significant portion of the tram embedded in the shop window shortly after the noise.
Passengers on board described a scene of chaos. One survivor told the ANSA news agency that the impact felt like an earthquake.
"I was seated and suddenly found myself on the floor with everyone else," the passenger added. "It was terrifying."
Translation by Iurie Tataru
