Madrid, 4 September 2025 (dpa/MIA) - At least fifteen people died in Lisbon as the historic funicular railway Elevador da Glória derailed, a spokesman for the rescue team told journalists on Wednesday.

No further details about the victims were initially available, though it is likely that some were tourists as the funicular was used by locals and tourists.

A spokesperson for the rescue teams did not provide any information about the nationalities of the victims. He stated that 18 people were injured.

Four of those injured are in critical condition according to Público, citing civil protection spokesmen.

Mayor Carlos Moedas told news channel SIC Notícias, "It is a terrible evening for Lisbon, very terrible."

Television images showed the tram lying on its side and badly damaged. Live broadcasts show thick smoke and debris, and sirens sound as rescue teams work on site.

An eyewitness told SIC Notícias that the train derailed with a loud bang, slid down the sloping road and crashed into a building on Restauradores Square in central Lisbon. "It was deafening, I and other passers-by ran away."

Paramedics and police officers were quickly on the scene, said the young woman, who was still visibly shaken.

President demands swift investigation

The accident is thought to have been caused by brake failure, the news channel SIC Notícias reported, citing the Lisbon train operator Carris.

Several officers from the criminal investigation department were at the scene and had begun their investigation. It is the first such accident involving one of Lisbon's funicular railways.

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed his "deep regret" at the accident and called for the incident to be "quickly investigated by the relevant authorities."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her sympathy to the victims' families.

The Elevador da Glória was opened in 1885 and is one of Lisbon's three historic funicular railways. It connects the central Praça dos Restauradores square with the higher district of Bairro Alto, covering a distance of around 200 metres.

The funicular is primarily a tourist attraction, though it is also used by many locals for whom the route is too steep to walk.

The accident occurred on Wednesday evening for reasons that remain unclear, according to media reports, citing the city's emergency services.

Photo: epa