Milan Tram Derailment Leaves Two Dead and 49 Injured in City Centre
A terrifying tram derailment in the heart of Milan has resulted in two fatalities and left 49 people injured, many of whom were trapped in the wreckage. The incident, which occurred on a busy afternoon, has sent shockwaves through the Italian city.
Chaotic Scene as Tram Crashes Off Tracks
The number 9 tram was travelling along Viale Vittorio Veneto in central Milan at approximately 4pm local time yesterday when it violently derailed. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as the packed tram, which was coming from Piazza della Repubblica and heading towards Piazza Oberdan, failed to proceed straight at the intersection with Via Lazzaretto.
Instead, the tram turned left at excessive speed for the curve, crashing onto its side and slamming into a nearby building. This impact trapped dozens of passengers onboard, with some pedestrians also reportedly caught under the wreckage.
Victims Named as Investigation Begins
The two individuals who lost their lives in the tragedy have been identified as 59-year-old Ferdinando Favia from Vigevano and 58-year-old Abdou Kari Toure, who was born in Senegal. Emergency services rushed to the scene, transporting injured pedestrians and passengers to Niguarda Hospital for treatment.
Milan mayor Beppe Sala has suggested that human error may have played a role in the accident. According to initial reports, the driver apparently failed to switch tracks to maintain a straight course and may have become unwell prior to the crash. The driver, described as an experienced employee who had only been on shift for an hour, skipped a stop before the derailment and is currently receiving hospital treatment for his injuries.
Passenger Accounts of the Terrifying Ordeal
Survivors have shared harrowing accounts of the moment the tram derailed. One passenger recounted, "I thought it was an earthquake. I was sitting down and I fell to the floor, along with the other people. It was terrible. Luckily, I only hit my knee, but the man next to me was bleeding from his head. It took me a while to get up and off the tram."
Another passenger described the sequence of events: "We heard something underneath, then the tram derailed and we were all thrown around. The tram veered, picked up some speed, and hit a building. I had got on at the first stop, Repubblica, and was standing next to the driver. Everyone came crashing into me."
Police Investigation Underway
A comprehensive police investigation into the accident is now underway. Authorities are examining whether pedestrians were crossing the road at the time of the crash and if the driver braked sharply in an attempt to avoid them. The precise circumstances remain unclear at this stage.
The tragedy occurred as Milan hosts its seasonal fashion shows and finds itself in the interim period between hosting the Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games, casting a shadow over the city's normally vibrant atmosphere.
Emergency crews worked diligently at the scene to free trapped individuals and provide medical assistance to the injured. The incident has raised serious questions about tram safety protocols and operational procedures in one of Italy's busiest urban centres.
