At full speed, the tram turned onto a street near Porta Venezia. A streetlight in its path was destroyed before the tram crashed into the corner of a building.
Several people were reported to have been trapped under the tram, and two men were confirmed dead in the accident on Friday evening. Neither was a passenger on the tram.
According to Italian media, nearly 40 people have been injured, several of whom are being treated in hospital.
The accident occurred during rush hour and the tram was reportedly full, according to Rai. It is unclear what caused the accident, but according to the newspaper Corriere della Sera, the driver said in police questioning that he felt sick.
