Authorities probe into reasons behind fatal Lisbon streetcar accident claiming lives of 16 individuals

In a shocking turn of events, a streetcar derailment in downtown Lisbon has left 16 people dead and 21 injured, including a 3-year-old child. The incident occurred on the famous Elevador da Glória, a popular tourist attraction that has been in service since 1914.

The streetcar, harnessed by steel cables, was carrying passengers when it derailed, hitting a building with brutal force and falling apart like a cardboard box, according to eyewitness Teresa d'Avó. Among the dead was the streetcar's brakeman, André Marques.

Eight of the victims have been identified: five Portuguese, two South Koreans, a Swiss person, and one each from Canada, the USA, Germany, and Ukraine. Three victims remain unidentified, requiring access to dental records or family DNA held abroad. The injured include nationals from Spain, Israel, Portugal, Brazil, Italy, France, and other countries whose nationalities were not specified.

The Elevador da Glória, classified as a national monument, underwent a full maintenance program last year and a daily visual inspection. However, the details of the visual inspection before the derailment are unclear. Three other famous funicular streetcars in Lisbon were halted for immediate inspections following the incident.

The company that operates Lisbon's streetcars and buses, Carris, has opened its own investigation. European Union flags at the European Parliament and European Commission in Brussels flew at half-staff, and multiple EU leaders expressed their condolences on social media.

The cause of the derailment is under investigation by police, public prosecutors, government transport experts, and the Office for Air and Rail Accident Investigations. The name of the accident investigator leading the investigation is not publicly available at this time.

Francesca di Bello, an Italian tourist, had been on the Elevador da Glória just hours before the derailment. Felicity Ferriter, a 70-year-old British tourist, heard a "horrendous crash" near the crash site.

The service between Restauradores Square and the Bairro Alto neighbourhood was halted following the incident. The operation of three other famous funicular streetcars in Lisbon was also halted for immediate inspections.

The injured are being treated at various hospitals across the city, with five reported to be in serious condition. The company has offered support to the families of the victims and the injured.

This tragic event has left the city of Lisbon in mourning, with many expressing their condolences and prayers for the victims and their families. The investigation into the cause of the derailment is ongoing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.