A Tourist Attraction Turned Deadly, Leaving City in Mourning

A devastating accident occurred in Lisbon, Portugal, when a historic electric streetcar derailed, resulting in a significant loss of life and numerous injuries. Emergency services confirmed that fifteen people were killed and eighteen others were injured. The National Institute for Medical Emergencies reported that five of the injured were in serious condition, and a child was among those hurt. The incident, described as the worst in the city's recent history, involved an unknown number of foreign tourists among the injured.

The streetcar, known as Elevador da Gloria, is a well-known tourist attraction that travels up and down a steep downtown hill. The vehicle was found on its side on the narrow road it typically uses, with its sides and top partially damaged. It appeared to have crashed into a building at a bend in the road. Emergency workers responded to the scene, but most left after a couple of hours.

Eyewitness accounts described the streetcar careening down the hill, seemingly out of control. The company that operates the streetcar, Carris, stated that scheduled maintenance had been performed. The President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and Lisbon's Mayor, Carlos Moedas, expressed their condolences, with the Mayor describing the event as a tragedy. The Portuguese government declared a day of national mourning.

International figures, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, offered their condolences. The cause of the accident remains unknown, but it reportedly happened during the evening rush hour. Rescue operations were completed within a couple of hours, and an investigation into the cause will begin afterward.

The streetcar, a funicular system, is pulled by steel cables and can accommodate over forty passengers. It has been in operation since 1885 and is a national monument. The service is used by both tourists and residents.

Lisbon welcomed approximately 8.5 million tourists last year, and the streetcar is a popular attraction, often with long lines of people waiting to ride it.