Lisbon, Portugal: A sightseeing streetcar that has long symbolised Lisbon’s charm derailed and crashed on Wednesday evening, killing 15 people and injuring 18 others, Portuguese emergency services said. Among the injured was a child, and five victims were reported to be in serious condition. Authorities noted that some of those hurt were foreign nationals.

Officials described the incident as the city’s worst accident in recent history. It took place around 6 pm on a narrow, steep road in the heart of Portugal’s capital, casting a sombre mood over one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations. The funicular appeared to have collided with a building at a bend, leaving its sides and roof crumpled and lying on its side.

Videos circulating on social media showed heavy smoke as passengers from another streetcar nearby ran uphill to help those trapped, while onlookers shouted in alarm.

Carris, the operator of the service, confirmed that scheduled maintenance had been carried out and expressed “deepest condolences to the victims and their families,” pledging a thorough investigation. Lisbon’s City Council has suspended other funicular operations and ordered immediate inspections.

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa offered condolences to the families, while Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas declared a period of mourning. “It’s a tragedy of the like we’ve never seen,” Moedas said. The Portuguese government announced a day of national mourning on Thursday, describing the loss as one that “left in mourning their families and dismayed the whole country.”

All victims were rescued within just over two hours, officials said. An investigation into what caused the crash is under way.

What caused the Lisbon Funicular crash?

Authorities have not yet released an official explanation for the derailment. However, Portuguese media cited witness accounts that may shed light on what happened.

According to Observador, a local newspaper, the coach’s cable may have detached from the railway’s haulage system while two trams were side-by-side. One witness told TV channel SIC, “It hit with brutal force and crumpled like a cardboard box - it had no brakes.” Another described the carriage striking the pavement “with great force” after the cable came loose.

What is the Gloria Funicular?

The Gloria Funicular, known locally as Elevador da Glória, is one of Lisbon’s most recognisable attractions, shuttling passengers up and down a steep downtown hill. The yellow-and-white carriages, often featured on souvenirs, serve both tourists and residents who rely on them for daily transport in the hilly city.

Opened in 1885 and electrified in 1915, the funicular system operates with two counterbalanced cars connected by the same cable. As one car ascends, the other descends, with the weight of the descending car helping to pull the ascending one, making it an energy-efficient system.

The Gloria line, classified as a national monument, is among three funiculars in Lisbon. Together they form an integral part of the city’s public transport network while doubling as a cultural and tourist experience.

How many people can it hold?

Each funicular car can carry up to 43 passengers, both seated and standing, over a few hundred metres of steep, curved, traffic-free road. The system is particularly popular in summer, when long queues form for the brief yet scenic ride. Lisbon welcomed about 8.5 million tourists last year, many of whom include the Gloria Funicular on their itineraries.

(With inputs from AP)