At least one person has died and dozens have been injured after a tram derailed and crashed into a building in Milan.
In the incident, which occurred at around 4pm local time on Friday afternoon, a number 9 tram was traveling along Vittorio Veneto street in Milan when it suddenly made a turn instead of going straight on the tracks.
The tram derailed and crashed into a building, smashing the window of a restaurant and knocking down a traffic light.
The tram crushed one person to death, who was reportedly trapped under the wheel of the tram.
Ambulances, firefighters and municipal police were at the scene. Rescue operations are underway.
A tent has been set up by civil protection teams to assist the injured.
According to reports, four people have been taken to hospital.
One passenger told ANSA that the crash felt like an ‘earthquake.’
At least one person has died and dozens have been injured after a tram derailed and crashed into a building in Milan
The tram derailed and crashed into a building, smashing the window of a restaurant
‘I thought it was an earthquake. I was sitting down and I fell to the floor, along with the other passengers. It was terrible,’ he said.
‘Luckily, I only hit my knee, but the man next to me was bleeding from his head,’ he continued.
Another person involved said: ‘ We heard something downstairs , then the tram derailed and we were all thrown around.’
‘The tram veered, picked up some speed, and hit a building.’
It is not yet clear why the train came off the tracks in the city currently hosting its famous Fashion Week.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the tragedy. The Mayor of Milan Beppe Sala arrived on the scene to assess the incident.
The local transport company ATM had no immediate comment.
According to Italian news channel Rai News, a case for manslaughter and bodily harm will be opened due to routine by the on-duty prosecutor.
The area around the crash has been closed down.
The tram was a new Tramlink model which had begun operating in the city just days prior.
It is 25 metres long with three carriages and 66 seats.
A total of 74 Tramlink trams began running in Milan on February 20. They are expected to slowly replace older trams.
ATM reportedly invested 190 million euros into the new trams, which were manufactured by Spanish company Stadler Valencia.
According to reports, four people have been taken to hospital.
It is not clear how the train came off the tracks
Emergency services are at the scene to assist the injured
According to reports, four people have been taken to hospital
