At least 15 people lost their lives and many others were injured on Wednesday when a funicular railway derailed in Lisbon, Portugal, according to a police source cited by CNN Portugal.
Emergency responders remain at the scene, where several passengers are still trapped, the outlet reported.
The revised death toll comes after the Public Security Police initially confirmed three fatalities and around two dozen injured, including at least nine people in critical condition.
Lisbon’s Mayor, Carlos Moedas, described the incident as a devastating moment for the city. “It’s a tragic day for our city,” he told CNN Portugal late Wednesday. “It’s a very tough day for all of us. Right now all the teams, the Lisbon municipality, the emergency services (INEM), civil protection, the fire department, we’re all on site trying to help the victims of this tragic, tragic accident in the city of Lisbon.”
“Lisbon is in mourning,” Moedas added.
The crash involved the Glória Funicular, a historic Lisbon attraction that has been in service since 1885 and is a favorite among tourists.
The tram, which accommodates up to 42 passengers, was shown in witness videos lying on its side with smoke billowing nearby.
Other footage captured the frantic moments as people escaped through the windows of a separate car further down the tracks.
Later images broadcast on CNN Portugal displayed the wreckage surrounded by emergency crews.
The cause of the derailment has not yet been determined. CNN Portugal reported that the Judiciary Police’s Homicide Brigade is among those leading the investigation.
Carris, the public transport company responsible for the funicular, confirmed that its teams were present at the site and said “all means have been activated” to assist with the response. The company stressed that the immediate “priority is to monitor the situation.”
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s office issued a statement saying he “deeply regrets” the tragedy and expressed condolences to those affected.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also conveyed her sympathies in a Portuguese-language message shared on X.
