At least 16 people have been killed and 20 others injured after a carriage on Lisbon’s famous Gloria funicular derailed and crashed. Portugal’s emergency medical service authority said that five of those injured were in a serious condition. The remaining fifteen, including a child, sustained minor injuries. Officials have not confirmed what caused the crash.
LISBON SEPTEMBER 4: At least 16 people have been killed and 20 others injured after a carriage on Lisbon’s famous Gloria funicular derailed and crashed on Wednesday evening, emergency services said. Several passengers trapped in the wreckage had to be freed by emergency responders, authorities said.
Portugal’s emergency medical service authority said that five of those injured were in a serious condition. The remaining fifteen, including a child, sustained minor injuries. Emergency services said foreigners were among those killed, although nationalities could not be confirmed.
The 140-year-old Glória funicular, which is popular with tourists, derailed and crashed into a building near Liberty Avenue at around 18:15 local time (17:15 GMT) on Wednesday.
Officials have not confirmed what caused the crash, but eyewitness reports suggested that the braking system on the cable-hauled funicular failed, sending it hurtling down the steep street and into a building.
Portugal has declared a national day of mourning after an iconic railway cable car crashed in Lisbon, killing at least 16 people and injuring about 20 others.
Spain’s Prime Minster Pedro Sanchez said he was “appalled by the terrible accident”. Lisbon’s mayor, Carlos Moedas, said the capital was “in mourning”, adding it was a “tragic moment for the city”.
