ITALY — A tram derailed and slammed into a building in central Milan, leaving two people dead and more than 40 others injured in a violent crash that unfolded in one of the city’s busiest areas.

The incident happened along Vittorio Veneto avenue, a major route running through the heart of the city, as Milan hosted major fashion events and remained in a high-traffic period.

According to authorities, the No. 9 tram was traveling at speed and was expected to continue straight along its route. Instead, it suddenly diverted at a track switch typically used by another line, causing it to veer off course.

Video from the scene shows the tram nearly tipping over as it took the wrong track before crashing directly into a building.

Milan Mayor Beppe Sala said early indications point to human error. He stated the driver may have failed to correctly switch the tracks, leading to the derailment. The driver, described as experienced, had reportedly been on shift for about an hour and had skipped a stop prior to the crash.

Officials confirmed that one victim was a passenger onboard the tram, while the second was a pedestrian on the street. Despite the scale of the incident, none of the injured are believed to be in life-threatening condition.

Emergency response was massive, with dozens of ambulances, fire crews, and police units flooding the scene. Passengers were seen being escorted away wrapped in thermal blankets as responders worked to secure the area.

Milan’s public transport operator said it is cooperating with prosecutors to determine exactly what caused the crash and how the sequence of events unfolded.