At least 15 dead after world famous tram crashes in Lisbon (VIDEO)

At least 15 people died and 18 more were injured when a car on Lisbon’s Gloria funicular railway derailed and crashed on Wednesday, an emergency medical service spokesman has said.

According to media reports, the crash occurred around 6pm, at the start of evening rush hour.

Carris, the public transportation company that operates the funicular, said it “immediately contacted emergency and security forces” without elaborating on the possible reasons that caused the crash.

Footage from the site shows the tram-like funicular, popular among tourists, practically destroyed, while emergency workers can be seen pulling people out of the wreckage.

In a statement, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said he “deeply regrets the accident that occurred this afternoon with the Gloria Elevator in Lisbon, in particular the fatalities and serious injuries, as well as the several minor injuries.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also expressed her condolences to the families of the victims in a statement in Portuguese published on X.

The line, which opened in 1885, connects Lisbon’s downtown area near the Restauradores Square with the Bairro Alto (Upper Quarter). According to reports, the tram transports more than three million passengers every year.

Its two cars are attached to opposite ends of a haulage cable with traction provided by electric motors.

The car at the bottom of the line was presumably undamaged, but CNN Portugal said passengers had to jump out of the windows when the incident happened.