Portugal is in mourning. On Wednesday, September 3, shortly after 6 pm, the Gloria funicular, one of Lisbon's most iconic modes of transportation, derailed in the historic center of the Portuguese capital.

Emergency services announced a death toll of 17, but that figure could rise. So far, 21 people have been reported injured, several of whom are in critical condition. Judicial authorities have opened an investigation to determine the cause of the accident. The identities and nationalities of the victims have not yet been made public. However, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that a French national was among the injured.

The tragedy occurred at the bottom of Rua da Gloria, a steep street linking the Rossio square to the Bairro Alto neighborhood. The yellow and white car, carrying mostly foreign passengers, sped down the slope before crashing into a building. According to initial eyewitness accounts, the funicular "was coming down at full speed."

Footage posted on social media showed the wreckage embedded in a wall and shrouded in smoke after apparently missing the curve at the bottom of the street. Teresa d'Avo, a witness, told SIC Noticias live news channel that she saw the funicular race down the hill "without brakes" before crashing with brutal force. "It came apart like a cardboard box. It was shocking. It had no brakes," she said. She stated that she saw victims being evacuated on stretchers.

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