Portugal mourns after Lisbon funicular crash kills 15

National Press Corporation(NPC) Repoeter
Lisbon — Portugal is observing a national day of mourning after at least 15 people were killed when a historic funicular in Lisbon derailed and crashed into a building.

Officials confirmed that 18 others were injured, including five who remain in a serious condition. Among the injured is a child who suffered only minor wounds.

Local media reported that a cable may have come loose along the route of the 140-year-old Gloria funicular, causing the tram to lose control. A joint investigation involving police and the company that operates the line has now begun.

The funicular, built in the late 19th Century, connects Lisbon’s downtown with its upper quarter and has long been a major attraction for tourists.

Tourism plays a vital role in Portugal’s economy, particularly in the capital, making the incident especially shocking for residents and visitors alike, our correspondent in Lisbon reports.

Emergency response

Footage from the scene in central Lisbon showed the wreckage of the historic tram, which was left almost completely destroyed.

Emergency services arrived within minutes and worked into the night to rescue passengers and secure the site. Authorities are now working to formally identify those who died while investigators piece together the cause of the crash.