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Portugal in shock after deadly Lisbon funicular crash Lisbon crash one of our biggest tragedies, Portuguese PM says
(about 4 hours later)
Watch: Emergency crews surround derailed Portugal funicularWatch: Emergency crews surround derailed Portugal funicular
Portugal has declared a national day of mourning after an iconic railway cable car crashed in Lisbon, killing at least 16 people and injuring about 20 others. Portugal's Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has called a furcular train crash that killed 16 people as "one of the biggest human tragedies of our recent history".
The 140-year-old Glória funicular, which is popular with tourists, derailed and crashed into a building near Liberty Avenue at around 18:15 local time (17:15 GMT) on Wednesday. Lisbon's 140-year-old Glória funicular, which is popular with tourists, derailed and crashed into a building at around 18:15 local time (17:15 GMT) on Wednesday.
Foreign nationals are among those killed, authorities said, although the identities of the victims have not been confirmed. Some of the injured are in a serious condition. More than 20 others were injured, five of whom were in a serious condition, the prime minister added.
Lisbon's Mayor Carlos Moedas called it a "tragic day for our city" while Prime Minister Luís Montenegro said it was "one of the biggest human tragedies of our recent history". The head of the Portuguese capital's public transport operator, Carris, said all funiculars in the capital were now being inspected and that it had launched an independent investigation into the incident.
Footage shared on social media showed the crumpled yellow funicular overturned in the cobblestone street and people running from the area as smoke filled the air. A day of mourning is being observed across Portugal on Thursday.
Several passengers trapped in the wreckage had to be freed by emergency responders, authorities said. Footage shared on social media showed the crumpled yellow funicular overturned on the cobblestone street and people running from the area as smoke filled the air.
Lisbon officials had initially put the death toll at 17, however the number was revised to 16 by the prime minister during a news conference on Thursday. Several passengers trapped in the wreckage had to be freed by emergency responders, local authorities said.
A further five people are in a critical condition in hospital, Montenegro said. Officials in Lisbon had initially put the death toll at 17, however that number was later revised down to 16 after they discovered a person who died in hospital overnight had been counted twice.
Officials have not confirmed what caused the crash, but eyewitness reports suggested that the braking system on the cable-hauled funicular failed, sending it hurtling down the steep street and into a building. Among the victims was André Jorge Gonçalves Marques, who worked as a break guard on the funicular.
Carris described him as a "dedicated, kind and happy professional, always willing to contribute to the greater good".
Another victim has been named as former volleyball referee Pedro Manuel Alves Trindade. The Portuguese volleyball federation said it was "deeply saddened by the tragedy".
Officials have not indicated what may have caused the crash, but eyewitness reports suggested that the braking system on the cable-hauled funicular failed, sending it hurtling down the steep street.
A witness told Portuguese TV channel SIC that the funicular, which can carry around 40 people, "hit a building with brutal force and collapsed like a cardboard box; it had no brakes".A witness told Portuguese TV channel SIC that the funicular, which can carry around 40 people, "hit a building with brutal force and collapsed like a cardboard box; it had no brakes".
It is not known how many passengers were on board when the crash happened.It is not known how many passengers were on board when the crash happened.
Portuguese newspaper Observador reported that a cable came loose along the railway's route, causing it to lose control and collide with a nearby building.Portuguese newspaper Observador reported that a cable came loose along the railway's route, causing it to lose control and collide with a nearby building.
One witness told Observador that the vehicle was "out of control, without brakes".One witness told Observador that the vehicle was "out of control, without brakes".
"We all started running away because we thought [the carriage] was going to hit the one below," said Teresa d'Avó."We all started running away because we thought [the carriage] was going to hit the one below," said Teresa d'Avó.
"But it fell around the bend and crashed into a building.""But it fell around the bend and crashed into a building."
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An investigation has now been launched by Lisbon prosecutors, police and the transport accident investigation department.An investigation has now been launched by Lisbon prosecutors, police and the transport accident investigation department.
The city's public transport operator, Carris, said it had complied with "all maintenance protocols". Interim maintenance was carried out last year and regular monthly and weekly checks had been done, it said. Pedro Gonçalo de Brito Aleixo Boga, the head of Carris, told a news conference on Thursday that all of its funiculars and its vertical lifts in the capital had been shut down for technical inspections, which would happen "in the coming days".
The company is "very sorry about what happened" and has opened its own investigation. The funiculars had been operating correctly since 2007, Dr De Brito Bogas said.
Lisbon's three other lines have been suspended while inspections are carried out, authorities said. He said the company had increased its spending on maintenance, but added that the cost of maintaining the funiculars had more than doubled over the past 10 years.
What we know about deadly funicular derailmentWhat we know about deadly funicular derailment
Who are the victims of the funicular tragedy?
'Out of control': Witnesses describe the crash'Out of control': Witnesses describe the crash
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sent her condolences to the families of the victims, while Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also sent their sympathy.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sent her condolences to the families of the victims, while Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also sent their sympathy.
Sánchez said he was "appalled by the terrible accident".Sánchez said he was "appalled by the terrible accident".
Flags at the European Parliament in Brussels have been flying at half-mast.
The yellow Glória funicular is one of Lisbon's most iconic sightsThe yellow Glória funicular is one of Lisbon's most iconic sights
A funicular is a type of railway system that allows travel up and down steep slopes.A funicular is a type of railway system that allows travel up and down steep slopes.
The two cars on the Glória funicular are powered by electric motors. They are attached to opposite ends of a haulage cable meaning that as one travels downhill, its weight lifts the other, allowing them to ascend and descend simultaneously. The two cars on the Glória funicular are powered by electric motors. They are attached to opposite ends of a haulage cable, meaning that as one travels downhill, its weight lifts the other, allowing them to ascend and descend simultaneously.
The bright yellow Glória funicular is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Lisbon. It was opened in 1885 and electrified three decades later.The bright yellow Glória funicular is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Lisbon. It was opened in 1885 and electrified three decades later.
The historic vehicles are a crucial part of a city as hilly as Lisbon. They snake their way up many of the cobbled streets.The historic vehicles are a crucial part of a city as hilly as Lisbon. They snake their way up many of the cobbled streets.
The one that crashed travels some 275m (900ft) from Restauradores Square in downtown Lisbon, up to Bairro Alto - or high neighbourhood - taking just three minutes to make the journey. The one that crashed travels some 275m (900ft) from Restauradores Square in downtown Lisbon up to Bairro Alto - or high neighbourhood - taking just three minutes to make the journey.
Additional reporting by Emily Atkinson and Mark LowenAdditional reporting by Emily Atkinson and Mark Lowen
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