Tourists are believed to be among those killed and injured after Lisbon’s famous Gloria Funicular derailed and crashed yesterday evening.
At least 17 people are now reported to have died and 18 others are injured after the crash, near Avenida da Liberdad, just after 6pm on Wednesday 3 September.
Footage shows the yellow and white funicular, which connects downtown Lisbon with the Bairro Alto neighbourhood, overturned and almost destroyed, with emergency workers pulling people out of the wreckage.
One child is among the injured, and five people are in a serious condition, the National Institute for Medical Emergencies said in a statement. It added an unknown number of the injured are foreigners.
Authorities said the cause of the crash is unknown, although Portuguese newspaper Observador said a cable came loose, causing the vehicle to lose control and collide with a nearby building.
The Gloria Funicular is one of Lisbon’s most popular tourist attractions.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said it was in touch with local authorities and stood by ‘to provide consular assistance if there are any affected British nationals’.
Portugal has declared national day of mourning.
Picture: Stock image of the Gloria Funicular
