At least 15 people have been killed and 18 others injured after an electric streetcar in the Portuguese capital Lisbon derailed on Wednesday.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa offered his condolences to those affected by the incident.
The yellow-and-white streetcar, which travels up and down a steep city hill, was lying on its side on the narrow road that it travels along, Portuguese television showed.
Its sides and top were partially crumpled. Several dozen emergency workers were at the scene.
The cause of the accident was not immediately known, local media said. It reportedly occurred at the start of the evening rush hour, at around 6 pm.
The funicular, known as Glória, can carry more than 40 people, seated and standing.
It is commonly used by Lisbon residents.
Summary
- Investigations are under way after at least 15 people were killed when a funicular cable railway derailed and hit a building in Lisbon
- At least 18 others were injured, with five in a serious condition – authorities said last night a child had sustained “minor wounds”
- Police say they are working with the company that runs the Gloria funicular to ascertain who was on board and what caused the crash
- Local media reports suggest a cable came loose along the railway’s route, causing it to lose control – a national day of mourning is being observed in Portugal
- The railway connects Lisbon’s downtown with the upper quarter, and is popular with tourists
- It’s been operating for almost 150 years, but something has gone very wrong – this will horrify people, writes our correspondent in the Portuguese capital
SOURCE: EURONEWS
