At least 15 people were killed in the derailment of the historic"Elevador da Glória" funicular in Lisbon on Wednesday evening. A spokesperson for the rescue team in the Portuguese capital said 18 were also injured. Foreign tourists are believed to be among the victims. However, there was initially no specific information about their nationalities. The cause of the accident has also not been officially announced.
The accident involving the funicular, one of the city's most famous landmarks, occurred at 6:15 p.m. (local time, 7:05 p.m. CEST) near Avenida da Liberdade. According to media reports, the famous"Elevador" or "Ascensor da Glória" derailed and then overturned. TV footage from the scene showed the yellow, wrecked carriage, from whose wreckage rescuers were pulling people. The second carriage at the lower end of the track appeared to be undamaged. However, videos broadcast by CNN Portugal showed it jolting violently at the time of the accident, with several passengers jumping out of the windows and screaming. According to emergency services chief Tiago Augusto, no other people were still trapped in the funicular as of Thursday evening. He stated that all victims had since been rescued from the wreckage.
"Train derailed with a loud noise"
An eyewitness told "SIC Notícias" that the train derailed with a loud roar, slid down the sloping street, and crashed into a building in Restauradores Square in central Lisbon."It was deafening; I and other passersby ran away." Paramedics and police quickly arrived at the scene, said the young woman, who was still visibly shaken.
The news channel"SIC Notícias," citing the railway operator, Lisbon's transport company Carris, reported that brake failure is suspected as the cause of the accident. Several officers from the criminal investigation department are on site and have already begun an investigation. Such an accident involving one of Lisbon's funicular railways has never occurred before.
President calls for rapid clarification
Portugal's head of state, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, expressed"deep regret" over the accident and demanded that the incident be "swiftly investigated by the relevant authorities." Carlos Moedas, the mayor of the Portuguese capital, told reporters:"It is a tragic day for our city. Lisbon is in mourning!" Moedas is a politician from the conservative-liberal Partido Social Democrata. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her condolences to the victims' families.
The funicular is one of Lisbon's most famous tourist attractions and began operating in 1885. This popular means of transport connects downtown Lisbon with the Bairro Alto district, known for its nightlife. It is one of three funiculars and is used by both tourists and locals. Portugal, and Lisbon in particular, has experienced a tourism boom over the past decade, leading to high visitor numbers in the city center during the summer months.
