Authorities launched a rescue operation to save those trapped under the wreckage of an iconic electric streetcar after it derailed and crashed in Lisbon, killing 16 people and injuring 23 others, emergency services said.
One 3-year-old child is among the injured, while seven people are in a serious condition. The crash is thought to have involved at least 38 people from 10 nationalities, according to the head of Lisbon's Civil Protection Agency. At least 12 of the people injured are women and seven are men, aged between 24 and 65.
Portuguese transport union Sitra named André Jorge Gonçalves Marques who worked for Carris as one of the 16 people who died in the crash.
So far, it is believed the foreign nationals involved are from Germany, Spain, South Korea, Cape Verde, Canada, Italy, France, Switzerland and Morocco.
Footage from the site showed the mangled wreckage of the yellow funicular, which carries people up and down a steep hillside, lying where it had left the track and crashed into a building near Avenida da Liberdade just after 6 pm.
Initial reports from local media suggest that one of the cable cars came loose from the cable, and hit the pavement. The second cart then derailed and hit a building.
An investigation is being carried out by Portugal's public prosecutor's office into the causes of the crash, national news agency Lusa reports.
"As is customary in these types of situations and as required by law," the attorney general's office said.
Public transport company Carris has also launched an investigation.
Lisbon mayor Carlos Moedas told reporters at the scene that the city was distraught over the incident. “This was a tragic accident … It’s a tragedy of the like we’ve never seen.”
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa offered his condolence to affected families. The Portuguese government has declared Thursday a day of national mourning, while Lisbon city has announced three days of mourning.
The streetcar that crashed, known as Gloria, can carry more than 40 people, seated and standing. It is commonly used by Lisbon residents. The cars are attached to opposite ends of a haulage cable with traction provided by electric motors on the two vehicles.
The car at the bottom of the line was apparently undamaged, but video from bystanders aired by CNN Portugal showed it jolting violently when the other one derailed and several passengers jumping out of its windows and people shouting.
Operator Carris said “all maintenance protocols have been carried out”, including monthly and weekly maintenance programmes and daily inspections.
A spokesperson for Britain's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it was in touch with the local authorities and stood by "to provide consular assistance if there are any affected British nationals".
Lisbon hosted around 8.5 million tourists last year and the streetcar is a popular attraction. Long lines of tourists typically form for the brief ride on it.
