At least two people were killed and dozens injured after a tram derailed and crashed into a building in Milan on Friday, authorities said. The accident occurred just days after the city concluded hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics and as it prepares for the upcoming Paralympics while staging Milan Fashion Week. Emergency services rushed to the scene as firefighters pulled survivors from the wreckage and paramedics transported the injured to nearby hospitals. Police confirmed that at least 38 people sustained injuries in the crash.

Milan mayor Giuseppe Sala said one of the victims was struck by the tram as it derailed, while the second was a passenger on board. He later identified one of the deceased as an Italian man in his 60s, while media reports said the other victim was a Senegalese man who died en route to hospital. Prosecutor Marcello Viola, who is leading the investigation, described the impact between the tram and the building as “devastating.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her “deepest condolences” to the families of the victims, while Transport Minister Matteo Salvini said he was “grieved” by the incident and called for clarity on the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause, with early indications pointing toward possible human error rather than a technical malfunction.

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According to Mayor Sala, preliminary findings suggest the driver may not have activated a track switch and had passed the final stop on the line before the accident occurred. He noted that the tram was new and that the driver had several years of experience, with his shift having started only about an hour earlier. Reports indicate the driver, who was hospitalised with non-serious injuries, told investigators he had felt unwell prior to the crash.

Witnesses described chaotic scenes as the tram, reportedly 25 metres long and capable of seating 66 passengers, veered off course. A video circulating on Italian media appeared to show the vehicle leaning heavily as it sped into a curve before slamming into a building. Bystanders were seen scrambling to safety, including a delivery rider who leapt from his bicycle moments before impact.

Several witnesses recounted hearing a loud explosion-like sound at the moment of impact. One office worker nearby said she heard an “enormous bang,” while a passenger told local media the sudden jolt felt like an earthquake. The tram reportedly struck a tree before crashing through the window of a restaurant, causing significant damage. Investigators are now examining whether speed limits were exceeded as part of their ongoing inquiry into the fatal derailment.

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