Lisbon:  A tragic accident struck Lisbon on Wednesday when the historic Elevador da Glória funicular derailed, crashing into a building and claiming the lives of at least 16 people while injuring 22 others. The funicular, a key tourist attraction and transport link connecting downtown Lisbon with the Bairro Alto district, plummeted down a steep 265-meter slope after its traction cable snapped.

The victims included five Portuguese nationals, two South Koreans, one Swiss citizen, and a U.S. national. Authorities are also investigating the deaths of two Canadians, one Ukrainian, and one German, whose identities have not yet been officially confirmed.

Among the 40 passengers in the lower carriage was 75-year-old Abel Esteves, who recounted the terrifying moment as the carriage accelerated uncontrollably before hitting the building. He and his family narrowly escaped the incident.

Portuguese authorities have launched a full investigation into the cause of the derailment. The Prosecutor General’s office is overseeing the identification of the victims, while the judicial police have confirmed several of the nationalities. The municipal transport company Carris stated that all routine maintenance checks, including daily inspections, had been completed. However, unions had previously raised concerns regarding cable tension issues that could affect braking performance.

Experts noted that the funicular’s carriages, constructed with wood and metal since 1914, were not designed to withstand the impact of a derailment, increasing the risk to passengers. Safety advocates are calling for modernization of the vehicles using stronger, modern materials while preserving their historic appearance.

In response to the tragedy, Portugal declared a national day of mourning, with flags flown at half-staff. Pope Francis sent condolences to the victims and their families, and Prime Minister Luis Montenegro described the incident as “one of the greatest human tragedies in our recent history.” Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas expressed deep sorrow, stating, “Lisbon is in mourning.”

The crash has raised urgent questions about the safety of the city’s aging transport infrastructure as Lisbon continues to attract tourists. Authorities are under pressure to review and improve safety protocols to prevent similar disasters in the future.