At least 17 people have been killed and 21 others injured after the famous Glória funicular tram in Lisbon, Portugal, derailed.
Emergency workers rushed to Rua da Glória, a steep street in the historic center, just after 6:00PM local time on September 3, per the New York Post.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos as firefighters pulled people from the wreckage of the crushed tram, which lay on its side with its roof partially caved in.
At least eleven of the injured are believed to be foreign nationals, with reports of victims from Germany, Spain, Canada, France, Cabo Verde, Italy, Switzerland, Morocco, and South Korea.
A child was also hospitalized, though not critically injured.
João Oliveira, director of the Lisbon and Tagus Valley Police, warned: “Unfortunately, it is possible that the death toll will increase.”
Eyewitnesses describe runaway tram
The derailment appears to have been triggered by a loose overhead cable.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud bang before one of the two cars hurtled down the slope out of control.
A woman near the scene told SIC news: “We went to help people and see what was happening, and then we saw that the other tram was coming down the slope out of control. We only had time to run out of the way.”
She added: “Sadly, I saw there was a man on the pavement at the precise point where the tram smashed into the building.”
Another witness told SIC: “It hit a building with brutal force and collapsed like a cardboard box; it had no brakes.”
Local media reported that pedestrians and drivers were also among the victims, with cars flipped in the collision.
Emergency response
Within minutes of the crash, more than 60 emergency personnel and 22 vehicles were deployed, per the Telegraph.
Officials confirmed that all those trapped inside were freed within two hours, but five people remain in serious condition in the hospital.
Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa issued a statement expressing sorrow: “The President of the Republic deeply regrets the accident that occurred this afternoon with the Glória funicular in Lisbon, particularly the fatalities and serious injuries, as well as the numerous minor injuries.”
He added that his “condolences and solidarity [are] with the families affected by this tragedy and hopes that the cause of the incident will quickly be clarified by the relevant authorities.”
Mayor Carlos Moedas, who visited the scene, said: “Lisbon is in mourning. This was a tragic accident… It’s a tragedy of the like we’ve never seen.
"Now is the time for action and help.
"I thank everyone for their response in just a few minutes. The only thing I can say is that it’s a very tragic day.”
Thursday was declared a national day of mourning in Portugal.
Investigation into safety and maintenance
The Glória funicular, which first opened in 1885 and later became electrified, is a national monument and one of Lisbon’s busiest attractions, carrying more than three million passengers annually between the downtown Pombaline district and Bairro Alto, as reported by the BBC.
The railway consists of two trams linked by a cable, shuttling up and down a 265-metre slope.
Carris, the publicly owned company that operates the system, suspended all of Lisbon’s funiculars — including Bica, Lavra and Graça — while investigations are carried out.
Pedro Bogas, president of Carris, expressed condolences to the victims’ families and defended the company’s safety record.
“Maintenance has been performed by the same company for 14 years,” he said.
“I want to say that Carris places great importance on safety.”
Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragedy.