At least seven people have been rushed to hospital and others left injured after two trams crashed into each other in Germany. Authorities in the Hanover region believe the collision was caused by a points failure, with the trams due to pass each other when they collided.
The crash happened shortly before midday in the Linden-Süd district, sparking a huge emergency services response, with police and paramedics dispatched to the scene. The points malfunction caused one of the trams to veer off-course before smashing into the rear carriage of the other one, causing both passenger vehicles to derail, according to police.
While the first tram was able to stop quickly and allow those onboard to disembark, around 20 people remained on the second tram until it came to a stop at a nearby intersection, The Sun reports.
Local outlets reported that part of a tram platform also collapsed during the collision, with vehicle windows smashed in the chaos.
Emergency teams used heavy equipment to lift the trams back onto the tracks, where one was able to return to its depot and the other was towed away.
The damage incurred in the incident was estimated by police to be up to €1million (£866,745).
It reportedly triggered a mass casualty response, with the region’s fire department attending alongside police and ambulances.
German public transport operator Üstra provided replacement bus services for stranded passengers, with the lines not reopening until 7pm.
Regular light rail schedules had resumed by Thursday evening, a Üstra spokesperson said.
