Two men died and at least 38 people were injured after a tram accident. (Tram) A train derailed and crashed into a building in Milan on Friday, February 27, 2026. The information was confirmed by the police to AFP.
One of the victims was hit by the tram when it derailed. The second was a passenger, according to the mayor of Milan. Giuseppe Sala, who spoke to reporters at the scene.
Rescue teams wrapped survivors in thermal blankets while ambulances transported the most seriously injured to hospitals in the region.
The accident occurred just days after the city concluded its hosting of the 2026 Winter Olympics. Milan is preparing to host the Paralympic Games and also hosts Fashion Week.
Witness accounts
"There was a man trapped under the tram, his arm was trapped," witness Valerio Gaglione told AFP.
"There were many injured people inside the tram; I saw a man completely covered in blood," he said.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her "deepest condolences" for the deaths.
Transport Minister Matteo Salvini said he was "saddened" by the accident and called for clarification.
Investigation
Prosecutor Marcello Viola, who is in charge of the investigation, stated that the impact between the tram and the building was "devastating."
According to Sala, one of the victims was an Italian man in his 60s. The other was a Senegalese man who died on the way to the hospital, according to press reports.
Initial investigations indicate that the driver did not activate a turnoff on the tracks. He also reportedly passed the last stop on the line before the accident, the mayor said.
The streetcar was new and the driver had years of experience. The shift had started an hour before the derailment.
"It doesn't appear to have been a technical problem, but something related to the driver," Sala said.
Hospitalized but without serious injuries, the driver reported that he had "felt unwell" before the collision, according to the press.
Images and damage
A video released by Italian media outlets shows the tram tilting as it enters a curve before hitting the building.
In the images, a delivery driver jumps off his bicycle to avoid being hit, while a pedestrian runs to get out of the way.
“I just heard a huge bang,” said Anna, 27, who was in a nearby office at the time of the accident.
The tram, painted yellow and white, is 25 meters long and has a capacity for 66 passengers. It ended up blocking the tracks after the collision.
It is not yet clear whether the vehicle exceeded the 50-kilometer-per-hour speed limit for trams.
Witnesses reported that the tram hit a tree before crashing through a restaurant window.
The Japanese restaurant Robatakan posted a photo of the damage on its Instagram page and expressed "closeness to all those involved."
A passenger told the ANSA news agency: "I thought it was an earthquake."
"I was sitting down and ended up on the floor, along with the other passengers. It was terrible."
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