LISBON, Portugal — A tragic derailment of the iconic Elevador da Glória funicular in Lisbon on Wednesday evening has left 15 people dead and 18 others injured, including five in critical condition.

Authorities confirmed that by 8:30 p.m., all passengers had been evacuated from the wreckage.

The first confirmed fatality was brakeman André Marques, who had been operating the cabin when the funicular lost control.

According to a firefighter source, the accident occurred when a cable in the structure came loose, causing the tram to accelerate uncontrollably down the steep slope and crash into the wall of a building on Rua da Glória.

The derailment happened at approximately 6:05 p.m., as the funicular descended from the São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint toward Restauradores Square.

Emergency services worked throughout the evening to extract passengers and treat the injured. Of the 18 wounded:

• São José Hospital admitted nine victims, including five in critical condition, and a three-year-old child who remains stable but is being transferred to D. Estefânia Hospital as a precaution. The child’s pregnant mother sustained minor injuries and has been moved to Alfredo da Costa Maternity Hospital.
• Santa Maria Hospital received eight victims, one of whom is in serious condition, including a slightly injured child.
• São Francisco Xavier Hospital treated three women, one in critical condition.
• Other patients were transported to Amadora-Sintra and Cascais hospitals for further care.

In response to the tragedy, the Portuguese Government has declared Thursday a national day of mourning, while the Lisbon City Council has declared three days of municipal mourning in honor of the victims.

“Lisbon is in mourning,” said Mayor Carlos Moedas, who visited the site shortly after the incident. “This is a tragedy unlike anything our city has ever experienced. Now is the time for action and support. I want to thank everyone who responded within minutes. Today is an extremely tragic day for Lisbon,” he said, adding that further statements would be made later “out of respect for the families.”

The Judicial Police have cordoned off the area and launched an official investigation into the cause of the derailment.

Civil Protection officials emphasized that while a cable failure is suspected, the exact cause remains under investigation.