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๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ Nigeria /Energy & Infrastructure

15 injured as trams collide on Netherlands Bridge

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Outcome reported
  • Two trams collided on Rotterdam's Erasmus Bridge on Wednesday, injuring at least 15 people, including one seriously.
  • The collision occurred on the landmark bridge, a major transport link, causing significant damage to both trams.
  • Rotterdam public transport operator RET is cooperating with emergency services to investigate the cause of the accident.

An accident involving two trams on Rotterdam's iconic Erasmus Bridge on Wednesday left at least 15 people injured, with one person sustaining serious injuries. The collision happened on the vital transport link that spans the River Maas in the Dutch port city.

Webcam footage captured one tram crashing into the back of another, resulting in debris scattering across the roadway and substantial damage to both vehicles. Emergency responders quickly cordoned off the bridge, halting all traffic in both directions. Injured passengers were seen being evacuated by emergency personnel using stretchers and wheelchairs, while the most severely injured individual was transported to a hospital.

Rotterdam authorities initially reported 18 injuries but later revised the number to 15, according to Dutch broadcaster NOS. The public transport operator, RET, expressed shock at the incident and stated its full cooperation with emergency services to determine the cause.

"We have seen the footage and are deeply shocked," a company statement read. "In cooperation with the emergency services, we will do everything we can to uncover how this could have happened."

We have seen the footage and are deeply shocked. In cooperation with the emergency services, we will do everything we can to uncover how this could have happened.

โ€” RETRotterdam public transport operator's statement following the tram collision.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.