Investigators say it’s too early to determine the cause of the crash, but local media have been sharing the accounts of some of those who were at the scene.
One witness told Portuguese newspaper Observador the vehicle was “out of control, without brakes”.
“We all started running away because we thought [the carriage] was going to hit the one below,” said Teresa d’Avó.
“But it fell around the bend and crashed into a building.”
Another eyewitness told Portuguese TV channel SIC that the funicular hit a building as it sped down the steep street “at full speed”.
“It hit a building with brutal force and collapsed like a cardboard box; it had no brakes,” the woman said.
Public prosecutor’s office launch investigation – Portuguese media
Portugal’s public prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into the crash, national news agency Lusa reports.
“As is customary in these types of situations, and as required by law, the public prosecutor’s office will open an investigation,” the attorney general’s office tells the news agency in a statement.
It adds that the public prosecutor’s office “is carrying out the necessary procedures, within the scope of its powers, particularly for the purpose of preserving evidence, with guidance and in co-ordination with police agencies”.
As we’ve been reporting, we’ve already heard that the police, the national transport safety authority and the company that runs the Gloria funicular are also investigating.
What you need to know
It’s been just over 13 hours since Lisbon’s Gloria funicular derailed, killing at least 15 people.
Let’s get you up to date with the latest:
What we know
- The 140-year-old cable railway, a popular tourist attraction, derailed and crashed into a building near the Avenida da Liberdade at around 18:15
- At least 15 people were killed, including foreigners, and 18 others injured – five are in serious condition
- Portuguese newspaper Observador reported that a cable came loose along the railway’s route, causing it to lose control
- Eyewitnesses say the funicular hurtled down the steep street, and one described the carriage as being “out of control, without brakes”
What we don’t know
- The cause of the crash, we’re yet to hear from officials but investigations by police, the national transport safety authority and the company that runs the Gloria funicular are under way
- How many people were on board
- The identity of those killed, and their nationalities
How the emergency service response unfolded
Footage from the scene in central Lisbon yesterday showed the aftermath of the crash, as the historic tram was all but destroyed.
Emergency services were on the scene within minutes.
While authorities now work to identify those killed and what caused the crash, let’s take a look back to the response in Lisbon last night.
‘A tragic day’: Portuguese PM declares day of mourning
Portugal is observing a national day of mourning following the fatal funicular derailment in Lisbon.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro says he has cancelled his agenda for Thursday.
However, he is still expected to virtually attend a meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing in Paris, which will be chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron.
“The government declared a day of national mourning for the Ascensor da Glória tragedy in Lisbon,” read a statement issued by Montenegro’s office last night.
“It’s a tragic day for our city… Lisbon is in mourning, it is a tragic, tragic incident,” Mayor of Lisbon Carlos Moedas said yesterday evening.
Questions remain after Lisbon funicular crash kills at least 15
Lisbon residents are waking up hours after at least 15 people were killed when the 140-year-old Gloria funicular derailed and crashed into a building at speed in the Portuguese capital.
Another 18 people have been taken to hospital, five of them in a serious condition, according to the emergency services who gave an update last night after the incident which took place around 18:15 local time.
Lisbon’s mayor, Carlos Moedas, has described the incident as a “tragic moment for the city” – and Portugal’s government has declared a national day of mourning.
But, as the city reels, big questions remain – including how the crash occurred and who was on board.
At least 15 dead after world-famous funicular crashes
At least 15 people have been killed after Lisbon’s world-famous Gloria funicular cable railway derailed and hit a building.
The crash happened at around 18:15 local time (18:15 BST). Eighteen people have been injured and taken to hospital, authorities say, including one child.
Everyone trapped inside has been freed, but emergency workers and forensics staff are continuing to comb through the scene of the crash into the night.
We’ve not yet had official confirmation of what caused the crash. An eyewitness has told the Portuguese TV channel SIC that the funicular hit a building as it sped down the steep street “at full speed”, AFP news agency reports.
“It hit a building with brutal force and collapsed like a cardboard box; it had no brakes,” the woman said.
The company that operates the trams has said it is “very sorry about what happened” and that they “need to get to the bottom” of it. The Portuguese government has declared Thursday a day of national mourning, while Lisbon city has announced three days of mourning.
Who was onboard at the time of the crash?
The Gloria Funicular can carry up to 43 passengers and is extremely popular with tourists.
It is not known how many people were onboard at the time of the collision, however.
Portugal’s emergency medical service authority says at least 15 people have been been killed and 18 others injured.
It’s not clear if they were passengers or pedestrians.
Funicular company has opened an investigation
Carris, the company that runs Lisbon’s trams and funiculars is going to open its own investigation, following tonight’s terrible incident.
It also says its regular maintenance, which is carried out every four years, was last done 2022. Its interim maintenance was conducted last year, and regular monthly and weekly checks also took place.
As far as the company knows, everything was done according to the book, it says.
But one of the unions representing Carris employees has expressed concerns that not enough maintenance has been carried out. Carris denies this is the case.
The transport accident investigation department is going to open its own investigation – and the criminal police are already on the scene.
This is clearly a very serious incident.
‘It hit a building with brutal force and collapsed like a cardboard box’ – witness tells Portuguese media
A witness tells Portuguese TV channel SIC that the funicular, which can hold around 40 people, hit a building as it sped down the steep street “at full speed”, AFP news agency reports.
“It hit a building with brutal force and collapsed like a cardboard box; it had no brakes,” the woman says.
Spanish PM ‘shocked by the terrible accident’
Spain’s Prime Minster Pedro Sanchez says he is “appalled by the terrible accident” that occurred in Lisbon tonight.
“All our affection and solidarity with the families of the victims and with the Portuguese people in this difficult moment,” he writes in a statement on X.
“And our wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured people.”
SOURCE: BBC NEWS
