One of Lisbon’s signature tourist attractions — the yellow-and-white Elevador da Glória funicular — came off the track and crashed on Sept. 3, claiming the lives of 15 people and injuring 18, according to the Associated Press, citing emergency services.
Portugal’s National Institute for Medical Emergencies reported that a child was among the injured, with five victims in serious condition. The agency also noted that an undisclosed number of foreign nationals were among those affected.
According to AP, the vehicle appeared to have collided with a building at a bend in the tracks, causing significant crushing damage to parts of the funicular. The streetcar was left lying on its side, its roof and sides crumpled. The media outlet said that authorities had not immediately provided a cause for the crash.
The streetcar operator, Carris, stated that scheduled maintenance had been performed and expressed condolences to the victims in a social media post.
Portugal’s government declared Sept. 4 a national day of mourning.
