At least seven people were killed in a tram accident in south London, British Transport Police said Wednesday.
More than 50 people were taken to hospital with injuries after the tram derailed in the Croydon area.
Investigations are ongoing as to the cause of the derailment and a 42-year-old man has been arrested, Transport Police said without naming him, as is customary.
The tram derailed soon after 6 a.m. (1 a.m. ET) Wednesday near the Sandilands stop, east of Croydon town center, the police statement said.
Deputy Chief Constable Adrian Hanstock said officers who arrived on the scene shortly afterward “were met with a complex and challenging situation.”
“This is a tragic incident and our hearts and thoughts go out to all those affected,” he said.
He said the coroner confirmed at least seven people were killed in the accident. Police would continue to work throughout the night to formally identify the victims, and provide care and support for their families, he said.
“Tomorrow, we will assess how and when it is appropriate to recover the tram and remove it from the tracks,” he said.
Croydon is a large town in south London that is home to around 38,000 people.
Resident Hannah Collier tweeted that she “heard a massive crash” outside her window and could see “emergency services everywhere.”