TRANSCRIPT
(Sound of people at the crash site)
Tragedy has struck in Lisbon, where one of the city’s most iconic landmarks has become the scene of devastation.
The historic Gloria funicular railway, a national monument beloved by tourists and locals alike, derailed, killing 15 people and injuring at least 18 others.
The yellow vehicles that are part of the railway system wind through the city's hills and cobbled streets.
Emergency crews rushed to the hillside near Avenida da Liberdade just after 6pm local time, to find a carriage crushed and lying on its side, with several people trapped inside.
Witness testimony and video footage suggest two funiculars were involved.
Powered by electric motors, both funiculars are connected to the same cable.
As one funicular goes down, its weight simultaneously pulls down to lift the other up.
One funicular slipped a short distance at the bottom of a steep incline, causing passengers to jump through its windows.
As that happened, the second funicular hurtled down the hill seemingly out of control, leaving the tracks and crashing into a building.
Both funiculars were packed with passengers.
This passenger, visibly shaken, describes what unfolded.
"It fell about a metre-and-a-half and made a huge crash. It was packed. We stayed to help. But just as we were going to assist, we saw another tram coming downhill. The only thing we could do was turn and run, toward the avenue. I looked back, and I’m sure at least one person managed to get out. They were on the sidewalk when the tram hit the building."
Commander Alexandre Rodrigues with Lisbon’s fire brigade describes the immediate emergency response.
"We were alerted of the derailment of the Santa Justa elevator at 6:08 pm. We arrived at the scene in three minutes, getting there very quickly. The causes of the accident will have to be analysed by the competent authorities."
Tiago Augusto is a doctor with the Portuguese Medical Emergency Service.
"Let’s start with the total number of injured in this accident, where we highlight five seriously injured who were transported to the hospitals of Santa Maria, Sao Jose, and Sao Francisco Xavier. We also have a total of 13 minor injuries, among whom we note a child admitted to Santa Maria Hospital. As for the fatalities, the final number so far is 15."
He says surnames suggest some foreign nationals are among the dead.
"I can't confirm this yet, we've obviously identified several foreign surnames, but I can't confirm which nationalities."
Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told SBS, no Australians were killed - or seriously injured - in the incident.
However, DFAT says it is providing consular assistance to one person, without providing any details.
Portuguese authorities say the disaster is the worst transport accident in the capital in recent memory.
At the scene, locals gathered in shock, among them Jose Ribeiro.
"I came because I saw the news on the internet. A tragedy, evidently. According to reports at the moment, there are 15 dead."
The transport company that operates the funicular, Carris, says it has opened its own investigation, adding that all safety checks and maintenance protocols had been carried out - including daily inspections.
Police investigators are examining the site; and the prosecutor general's office says it is opening a formal investigation.
The Gloria funicular first opened in 1885.
Each year, it carries around three million passengers, locals and tourists alike, up the steep slope between Restauradores Square and the Bairro Alto, Lisbon’s nightlife district.
Spain's Prime Minster Pedro Sánchez says he is appalled by the terrible accident.
While Lisbon's mayor, Carlos Moedas, says the capital is in mourning, adding it was a tragic moment for the city.
The Portuguese government declared a day of national mourning , and Lisbon city has announced three days of mourning.
