Lisbon was plunged into mourning on the evening of September 3 after the Elevador da Gloria Funicular derailed, killing 15 people and injuring 18 others, the Associated Press reported.
A child was among the injured, and several victims were believed to be foreign nationals, according to the National Institute for Emergency Medicine.
The accident, which authorities called the worst in the city’s recent history, occurred around 6 p.m. local time, during rush hour. Witnesses reported that the funicular car careened out of control down the steep slope it regularly ascends and descends in central Lisbon, crashing into a building and flipping over.
Rescuers responded quickly and pulled all the victims out of the wreckage within two hours.
The Portuguese government has declared Thursday, September 4, a national day of mourning.
Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas, speaking at the scene, said: “This is a tragedy the likes of which we have never seen.” President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa offered his condolences to the families of the victims.
The cause of the accident remains unknown. Authorities have confirmed that an investigation will begin once rescue operations are completed.
