In a tragic incident in Milan, Italy, a tram derailed on Friday afternoon, leading to one fatality and at least 20 injuries. The incident, reported by the Italian media outlet Corriere della Sera, involved Tram number 9, which came off its tracks around 4 PM and collided with a building, knocking over a traffic light and shattering the window of a nearby restaurant. Some individuals were trapped underneath the tram, and the severity of their injuries is still being assessed, with reports indicating that some are critically injured.

Eyewitness accounts describe the chaos that ensued during the accident. Passengers expressed their shock, with one traveler commenting that it felt like an earthquake as they found themselves on the floor of the tram alongside others. This specific tram model, the new Tramlink, started operation in Milan only a few weeks prior to the accident. Notably, this marked the first tram in the city’s history designed with a cab at both ends to facilitate direction changes.

As investigators work to determine the cause of the derailment, there remains uncertainty over whether victims were crossing the street at the time of the accident or were simply onboard. This incident raises urgent questions regarding tram safety and operations in urban settings, particularly with new transportation infrastructure being introduced into heavily populated areas. The local authorities and transit officials are likely to face scrutiny in the aftermath of this accident, which could have broader implications for future tram system implementations in Milan and beyond.