Lisbon, Sep 3 (EFE). – At least 15 people were killed and 18 others were injured, five of them seriously, when the Elevador de Glória, a popular tourist funicular in central Lisbon, Portugal, derailed on Wednesday, according to Tiago Augusto, a spokesman for the National Institute of Medical Emergencies (INEM).
Augusto added that the injured were transported to several hospitals in the Portuguese capital and detailed that among the thirteen slightly injured is a child admitted to Santa Maria Hospital.
INEM also confirmed that there are no more victims at the scene and that everyone has been evacuated.
In a statement published on the Presidency’s website, President Rebelo de Sousa expressed his regret about the accident.
“The President of the Republic offers his condolences and solidarity to the families affected by this tragedy and hopes that the accident will be quickly clarified by the competent authorities,”said the statement published on the presidency’s website.
Firefighters received the first alert at 6:08 p.m. local time.
On the ground, EFE confirmed that the funicular had overturned and the roof was completely crushed.
In the area, there is a large police and emergency team deployment, which has closed access. Hundreds of onlookers, many of them tourists, concentrated in the vicinity, many filming with their cell phones.
The Gloria Elevator connects Restauradores Square with the Bairro Alto and São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint, one of the most visited in the Portuguese capital. EFE
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