At least one person has been killed and more than 20 injured after a tram derailed in Milan on Thursday afternoon, Italian media reported.
According to Sky TG24, the tram left the tracks for reasons that remain unclear and crashed into a building along Viale Vittorio Veneto. The vehicle subsequently overturned, trapping several passengers inside.
The fatality is reported to be a man whose identity has not yet been confirmed. He was reportedly struck by the tram during the incident.
The accident occurred shortly after 4pm as the tram was travelling from Piazza Repubblica towards Porta Venezia. A large number of ambulances, along with firefighters, rushed to the scene to assist the injured and carry out rescue operations. Several of those hurt are reported to be in serious condition.
“I thought it was an earthquake”
Passengers described chaotic scenes as the tram derailed.
“I thought it was an earthquake. I was sitting and I fell to the floor along with the other passengers. It was terrible,” one passenger told an Italian news agency. “Luckily I only hit my knee, but the man next to me was bleeding from the head. It took me a while to get up and get off.”
Other passengers said the tram suddenly left the tracks and they were thrown forward. A woman on board said the tram “turned, accelerated and hit a building.” Another passenger who had boarded at the previous stop said he was standing near the driver when the incident occurred. “Everyone fell on top of me,” he said.
Emergency services remain at the scene as investigations into the cause of the derailment continue.