Tram with 20 passengers catches fire in Milan: fourth incident in just a few days

©Anne Laure P via Unsplash

Calm has still not returned to the tram network in Milan. It was another tense morning in the Lombardy capital when tram 27 caught fire shortly after 9 a.m. in Via Marco Bruto, in the Mecenate-Forlanini neighborhood. On board were some 20 passengers, including families with children, who were suddenly overcome by thick smoke and intense heat. A loud bang, described as "an abrupt emergency stop" preceded the chaos: doors flew open and people fled outside.

High-voltage cable crashes

The situation was made even more dangerous by the coming down of a high-voltage cable, which began to spark as soon as it hit the ground. The tram operator and police immediately intervened, stopping traffic and cordoning off the area to avoid further risks. Some trash containers at the scene were used to create a makeshift cordon, while the fire department quickly arrived to extinguish the flames and bring passengers to safety.

Witnesses' account

Passengers described a loud bang, followed by smoke and heat. Despite the shock, no one was injured, but the memory of recent incidents, such as the derailment of tram 9 in Viale Vittorio Veneto, only increased the feeling of insecurity among those present.

Cause of incident still unclear

Emergency services made sure the crowd stayed away from the dangerous area. For now, the exact cause of the fire is not yet clear, but the flames appeared to have developed in the upper part of the vehicle, possibly due to a technical defect related to the pantograph or electrical cable. About ten minutes after the report, firefighters completed extinguishing operations and passengers were able to safely leave the area.

Fourth incident rocking Milan's tram network

Residents are becoming increasingly concerned. Indeed, this is already the fourth incident on the Milan tram network within a few days. After the derailment on February 27 that left two dead and several injured, a line 12 tram, with no passengers on board, went off the rails near the central station due to the presence of a loose bolt.

Just two days ago, the middle carriage of tram line 15 suddenly went off the rails near Fiordaliso shopping center in Rozzano. The vehicle had just left a stop and was traveling at low speed, so there were no consequences for passengers.

And now this fire, as the city is facing an oppressive picture of repeated tram incidents, is a sign of a period of extreme vulnerability when it comes to public transport safety.
 

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