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Tram Derails into Store in Central Oslo, Leaving Several Injured

A tram derailed and crashed into an electronics store in central Oslo, resulting in injuries to at least four individuals and causing alarm among witnesses.

The accident occurred around late morning in a busy commercial area of the Norwegian capital. Initial reports indicate that the tram was supposed to make a left turn at an intersection but instead veered off the rails, barreling straight ahead and crashing into an electronics retailer that specializes in Apple products.

According to police reports, three passengers onboard the tram sustained injuries, alongside one pedestrian outside the store. Anders Ronning, the head of police operations at the scene, remarked, “No one is described as being seriously injured,” while noting that “one or two other people” sought medical attention independently.

Authorities initially estimated that about 20 people were onboard the tram at the time of the incident; however, some had exited the vehicle before emergency responders arrived. Eyewitness accounts narrated tense moments as one passerby had to leap out of the tram’s path moments before the collision.

Several hours after the crash, the tram remained firmly lodged within the store, surrounded by shards of glass and scattered debris. Ronning noted, “Thankfully, a derailment makes a lot of noise and several individuals in the store had time to turn around and get out of the way.”

Julie Hogmo Madsen, a 24-year-old passenger seated at the back of the tram, described her experience: “It started to shake more than usual in the turn and I understood we had derailed – and then it went ‘bang’.” She recounted a chaotic atmosphere as passengers began to scream, prompting her to assist another person in getting to safety.

Andre Norheim, who witnessed the event, remarked to the daily Verdens Gang, “It’s just surrealistic. If everyone came out of this unharmed, it means there’s someone watching over us, because it was a powerful crash, to put it mildly.”

Following the incident, the area was cordoned off, leading to significant traffic disruptions in the city center as numerous police vehicles and ambulances arrived on the scene. The tram driver also sustained injuries and has been named a suspect as investigators explore the possibility that excessive speed contributed to the derailment.

Ronning emphasized the importance of the ongoing investigation, stating, “I don’t want to speculate. We are working on the technical aspects to determine the cause of the accident.” The store, which also features office spaces, was evacuated for safety. The tram will not be extracted from the building until experts assess the stability of its supporting walls to ensure there is no risk of collapse.

Source
www.theguardian.com