A tragic accident occurred in Lisbon on Wednesday when a popular tourist streetcar derailed and crashed, resulting in 15 fatalities and 18 injuries, according to emergency services. Among the injured were five individuals in critical condition, including a child. The National Institute for Medical Emergencies in Portugal also reported that an unspecified number of foreign tourists were among the casualties.
The incident, described as the worst accident in the city’s recent history, has cast a shadow over the city’s appeal to the millions of tourists who visit each year. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined by officials. The streetcar, known as “Elevador da Gloria,” is a prominent feature of Lisbon’s downtown area, traversing a steep hill on a narrow road.
The aftermath of the crash left the yellow and white streetcar on its side, with significant damage to its sides and top. It appears to have collided with a building at a bend in the road, resulting in the mostly metal vehicle being crushed. Eyewitnesses reported to local media that the streetcar seemed to be out of control as it sped down the hill, with one witness recounting how it toppled onto a pedestrian.
Social media was flooded with videos showing the aftermath of the accident, including what appeared to be heavy smoke and people fleeing from a streetcar just ahead of the one that crashed. Carris, the company that operates the streetcar, confirmed that scheduled maintenance had been performed and expressed its condolences to the victims and their families. The company also pledged to thoroughly investigate the causes of the accident.
In response to the tragedy, the Lisbon City Council halted operations of other streetcars in the city and ordered immediate inspections. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas expressed their condolences, with Moedas stating that the city was in mourning over the unprecedented tragedy. The Portuguese government declared a day of national mourning to be observed on Thursday.
The crash, which occurred during the evening rush hour, prompted an outpouring of condolences from international figures, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. The U.S. Embassy in Lisbon also expressed its condolences.
The streetcar, technically a funicular, is a national monument and a significant part of Lisbon’s public transportation system. It can carry over 40 passengers and has been in operation since 1885. The service is not only a tourist attraction but is also commonly used by Lisbon residents.