Tramlink Derailment: Investigation Launched After Fatal Crash in Milan

Milan’s public transport authority is investigating the braking system of a latest Tramlink tram following a derailment on Friday afternoon that resulted in one death and dozens of injuries. The incident occurred when the tram left the tracks and collided with a building.

The Milan Prosecutor’s Office has initiated an inquiry focused on the tram’s braking mechanism, according to Italian news reports. The investigation will seek to determine if any mechanical failure contributed to the accident.

Azienda Transporti Milanesi S.p.A. (ATM), Milan’s transport operator, expressed condolences for the victims and their families. The company has pledged full cooperation with the ongoing investigation.

The Tramlink fleet represents a recent modernization effort for Milan’s public transport system. The first of 74 new low-floor trams entered commercial service on February 20, 2025, replacing older, high-floor vehicles. The trams were commissioned from Stadler Valencia following a public tender, with a total investment of approximately EUR 190 million. Each vehicle costs, on average, EUR 2.56 million, though prices vary depending on whether the tram is a three- or five-car model.

The new trams operate on lines 7 and 31, and are intended to improve accessibility and efficiency within the city. Milan’s tram network, established in 1881, currently spans over 116 km and utilizes a unique track gauge of 1445 mm. It comprises 17 lines and a fleet of 423 vehicles.

The Tramlink trams are designed to replace trams built between 1955 and 1960, as well as some of the “Jumbotrams” from the 1970s. Although, the historic Ventotto trams, considered an icon of Milan, will continue to operate.

Stadler and ATM signed a framework agreement in September 2020 for the supply of up to 80 Tramlink light rail vehicles for both urban and suburban services. The first bidirectional tram running on Milan’s network, Tramlink is designed to further modernise the city’s public transport system.

As of Saturday, ATM had not released a detailed statement regarding the cause of the derailment, and the Prosecutor’s Office has not announced a timeline for the completion of its investigation.