Tributes have been paid to the victims of the Gloria funicular derailment in Lisbon, which killed at least 16 people and injured 23. Among the deceased is brake guard Andre Jorge Goncalves Marques, described by operator Carris as a 'dedicated, kind and smiling' professional. Other victims named include former volleyball referee Pedro Manuel Alves Trindade and lawyer Alda Matias.
Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro called the crash 'one of the biggest human tragedies of our recent history', revising the death toll from 17 to 16. The government declared a day of national mourning. Investigators have completed their on-site assessments and will release initial findings soon.
The funicular, which runs on two parallel cars, derailed and crashed into a building at around 6pm on Wednesday. Initial reports suggest the cable came loose. In response, Lisbon City Council suspended three other funicular lines: Bica, Lavra, and Graça.
All victims were adults. Foreign nationals among the dead are believed to include two Canadians, one German, one Ukrainian, and one American. At least 10 nationalities were among the injured, including Portuguese, Germans, Spaniards, French, Italians, Swiss, Canadians, Moroccans, South Koreans, and Cape Verdeans. A three-year-old German boy survived, but his father died and his mother was injured.
Seven of the injured are in serious condition. The UK Foreign Office said it is on standby to assist any British nationals affected. Carris has been asked to open internal and external investigations into the incident.
