High-speed rear-end crash on opened bridge
Two trams collided on the Erasmusbrug in Rotterdam on Wednesday afternoon. Emergency services initially reported eighteen casualties, but officials later updated the final count to fifteen injured individuals. Seven people were transported to the hospital, including one person who sustained serious injuries.
Webcam footage shows one tram stopped on the bridge while waiting for the span to open for maritime traffic. A second tram approached from behind and struck the stationary vehicle at high speed without slowing down. First responders freed one passenger who became trapped inside during the crash. Paramedics treated the remaining eight victims at the scene.
Emergency response and safety inspections block transit Welingelichte Kringen
Multiple ambulances, fire crews, and police units rushed to the scene immediately after the impact. Public transport operator RET shut off power to the overhead lines, suspending all tram traffic across the bridge.
Rotterdam Mayor Carola Schouten visited the site to speak with emergency workers and RET staff. She noted that cleanup teams must carefully separate and recover the damaged trams because the vehicles remain under high voltage.
Investigation opens as cleanup operations begin Welingelichte Kringen
Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the collision. RET stated that it cannot yet determine why the driver failed to brake.
Crews have begun clearing debris from the bridge deck. Authorities reopened the waterway for shipping traffic, but the Erasmusbrug remains completely closed to road and public transit traffic while recovery operations continue.
@ anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
