Tragedy in Lisbon: Iconic Elevador da Gloria streetcar crash leaves 17 dead, 21 injured | VIDEO

Lisbon: A major tourist streetcar in Lisbon, the Elevador da Gloria funicular, derailed and crashed on Wednesday evening, leaving at least 17 people dead and 21 others injured, according to emergency services. Among the injured were five reported in serious condition and at least one child; an unknown number of foreign nationals were also affected. The accident is now recognised as the city’s worst transport disaster in recent history.

The crash, which occurred around 6 p.m. local time at the beginning of the evening rush hour, saw the iconic yellow-and-white streetcar lying mangled on its side after it apparently collided with a building at a bend in its steep downtown route. Witnesses recounted seeing the streetcar careen out of control down the hill, its metal frame crumpling under the impact, and described the aftermath as “brutal.” Emergency services responded swiftly, with all victims extracted within two hours.

Authorities have declared the event an accident, although the cause has not been officially determined. Preliminary reports suggest that a safety cable on the funicular may have failed, leading to the derailment. Carris, the company that operates the streetcar, affirmed that scheduled maintenance had been conducted and promised a comprehensive investigation alongside city officials.

Lisbon’s City Council has suspended all funicular streetcar operations in the city and ordered immediate inspections. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Mayor Carlos Moedas expressed condolences and declared a day of official mourning at the city and national levels. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani were among several international leaders sending messages of sympathy.

The Elevador da Gloria, a national monument inaugurated in 1885, is harnessed by steel cables and typically carries over 40 passengers per trip up and down a steep, historic hill in central Lisbon. The route draws millions of tourists annually, making this tragedy particularly impactful for the city's tourism industry.

An official investigation into the causes of the accident will commence following the completion of rescue operations.

With inputs from AP