Multiple injured as tram derails and crashes into pizzeria in major European city

Gothenburg authorities are now investigating

Unfolding at the intersection of Kungsportsavenyn and Vasagatan, the incident saw police, ambulance and rescue crews, and Gothenburg Tramways respond at the chaotic scene, with the latter suspending all journeys on that particular route.

After coming off its tracks, the tram crashed into a pizzeria and hospitalised seven people, including the public transport's driver.

Police officer Morten Gunneng told The Sweden Herald (via The Independent): "The speed was so high that the tram not only derailed, it continued to drive straight ahead on the asphalt, up a good bit on the sidewalk on the opposite side to then force its way into a pizzeria.

Local resident Parosh Hama Ali spoke to TT news agency in the aftermath too, explaining: "It sounded like someone was closing a garage door, but in an incredibly loud way. Then I heard screams and then I realised it was serious."

Parosh encountered a growing crowd after leaving his flat. "They tried to help those who were trapped inside the tram and struggled to get one of the doors open. They finally succeeded before the rescue service arrived," he recalled.

"It's a tram that has come driving from Vasaplatsen in the direction of Avenyn. On the way, the speed has increased so that it has not been able to turn onto Avenyn, but continues straight ahead and into a detached building, which is a pizzeria," added police spokesperson Christian Brattgard (per Goteborgs-Posten).

Authorities have started investigating whether serious carelessness caused the accident and injuries.