Two RET trams collided on the Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam on Wednesday, leaving at least 15 people injured [1].

The accident disrupted transit on one of the city's most vital infrastructure links and raised immediate questions regarding safety protocols for trams during bridge closures.

According to reports, the collision occurred when one tram stopped to allow the bridge to close [3]. A second tram, following behind the first, struck the stationary vehicle from the rear [3].

Emergency responders said at least 15 people were injured in the crash [1]. While some initial reports from authorities suggested 18 people were hurt, that number was later revised to 15 [2]. One person was reported as critically injured and trapped within the wreckage [1].

The Erasmus Bridge is a central landmark in Rotterdam and serves as a critical artery for both road and rail traffic. The impact of the collision caused significant delays for commuters and required a coordinated emergency response to extract the trapped passenger.

Local authorities said they have opened an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident [3]. Investigators are examining why the second tram failed to stop in time and whether technical failure or operator error contributed to the crash [3].

RET, the operator of the trams, has not yet released a formal statement regarding the specific mechanical status of the vehicles involved. The investigation remains ongoing as officials review the sequence of events leading up to the impact on Wednesday [3].

“At least 15 people were injured”

This incident highlights the operational risks associated with integrating rail transit on movable bridges. Because the collision occurred during a bridge-closure sequence, the investigation will likely focus on the signaling systems and the communication between the bridge operators and tram drivers to prevent rear-end collisions in high-traffic bottlenecks.