Rescuers and firefighters operate at the scene after the Glória funicular cable railway derailed in Lisbon, Portugal, on Wednesday. Photo by Miguel A. Lopes/EPA
A tram on one of Lisbon’s funicular railways derailed Wednesday, killing 15 people and injuring another 18, local authorities said.
The derailment of the Elevador da Glória — also known as the Glória Funicular — happened around 6:15 p.m., the English-language Portugal Resident reported, citing SIC Notícias.
Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro called for a national day of mourning and said an investigation would determine the official cause of the derailment. Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas also ordered a three-day period of mourning, NBC News reported.
Fernando Nunes da Silva, an engineer and former member of the Lisbon City Council, told the Portuguese-language SIC Notícias he believes the tram’s traction cable snapped, causing the vehicle to crash into a building along the route.
“From what we can see in the images, it is most likely that a traction cable broke, and when it broke, the brakes that should normally work in a situation like this did not work,” he said.
The Glória Funicular is one of several trams — and three funiculars — that transport people around Portugal’s hilly capital. The bright-yellow trams are an iconic part of Lisbon’s transportation system and are popular with locals and tourists alike. Each car holds about 40 passengers.
Authorities told The Independent that foreign nationals were among the dead. The National Institute for Medical Emergencies said that five of the injured were in serious condition.
