A funicular crash in Lisbon's Gloria line has left the nation reeling after the tragic incident claimed 16 lives. Among the survivors is a three-year-old German boy who enjoyed a miraculous escape, pulled from the wreckage by responders.
Initial reports detailed that the dead included nationals from Portugal, South Korea, Switzerland, Canada, France, Britain, Ukraine, and the US. A German citizen previously reported deceased was found alive in a local hospital.
While the precise cause of the crash remains under investigation, local transport operator Carris has grounded all funiculars, committing to a thorough independent inquiry and inspection of the railway systems.
In the wake of this calamity, political leaders attended a memorial service, calling for swift answers to ensure rider safety. Witnesses described horrifying scenes as passengers escaped from a derailed carriage that crashed into a building.
Local tour guide Mariana Figueiredo, present at the scene shortly after the crash, recounted the chaos as people leapt from windows, and rescue efforts began. As the city grapples with the aftermath, residents reflect on their once-safe daily commutes now altered forever.
The tragedy has sparked a wave of sorrow and calls for enhanced safety protocols for public transport, especially among the popular funiculars that navigate Lisbon's steep terrain.