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According to local media, most of the injured were tourists, including foreigners. About an hour after the accident, Civil Protection Director Margarida Castors said that several people were still trapped. However, by 8:30 p.m., all had been removed from the vehicle. The injured were taken to various hospitals in the Portuguese capital. Among the thirteen people with minor injuries was a child, who was admitted to Santa Maria Hospital.

Around 7:00 PM Dutch time (6:00 PM Lisbon time), the Gloria funicular derailed in the city's historic center while descending a hill, crashing into a building on Rua da Glória. It overturned on the slope next to Avenida da Liberdade. The overturning reportedly completely crushed the roof. The vehicle, which has a capacity of 42 people, was reportedly not full at the time of the derailment.

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Eight fire trucks and 34 firefighters responded, along with numerous ambulances and dozens of police officers. They blocked access to the area. The line consists of two carriages, connected at the ends by a traction cable driven by electric motors. According to a Portuguese news channel, the accident could have been caused by a safety cable coming loose, possibly due to a faulty brake.

Video: First images of the accident in Lisbon.

The rear carriage appeared undamaged, but CNN Portugal reported that passengers had to jump out of the windows when the incident occurred. Authorities will launch an investigation into the exact cause.

Hundreds of spectators, including many tourists, have gathered nearby and are filming with their mobile phones. Authorities are pushing as many bystanders away as possible and prohibiting them from approaching the scene of the accident.

The funicular connects the Restauradores district with the Bairro Alto (the upper part of Lisbon) and the São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint. It is one of the symbols of Lisbon and very popular with tourists visiting the Portuguese capital. The line opened in 1885 and is operated by the municipal public transport company Carris. This is not the first time it has derailed; it also derailed in 2018. No injuries were reported, but it was subsequently out of service for a month.

Carris issued a statement assuring that"all maintenance protocols for the cable car are being implemented and adhered to." General maintenance is performed every four years, and was last performed in 2022.

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said he deeply regretted the accident,"especially the fatalities and the seriously injured." Carlos Moedas, mayor of Lisbon, said that"Lisbon is in mourning." "It is an unprecedented tragedy in our city. It is time for action and help. I thank all emergency services for their swift response." He declared three days of mourning.