Three-tram crash hurts 33 in Rotterdam – Dutch police

THE HAGUE - At least 33 commuters were injured Monday in a three-tram pile-up at a busy intersection in the southwestern Dutch port city of Rotterdam, safety and police spokespeople said. "Three trams crashed into each other and 33 passengers have been injured," Rotterdam regional safety spokeswoman Elise Bergsma told AFP. The accident happened around 12:50 pm (1150 GMT) at the busy Breeplein intersection in southern Rotterdam, police spokesman Wessel Stolle added. Eight ambulances and a trauma helicopter were sent to the scene, he said. Bergsma said most people were lightly injured, suffering back and neck injuries, but some also suffered broken bones. All 33 were taken to hospital "as a precaution", she said. The cause of the accident was unknown, but public broadcaster NOS, quoting witnesses, said the smash happened when a third tram rear-ended a stationary tram ahead of it at the Breeplein stop, which then crashed into the third. — Agence France-Presse