Lisbon Funicular crash: At least 15 dead

At least 15 people died and 18 were injured on Wednesday when Lisbon's Gloria funicular railway car, which is popular with tourists and is one of the city's symbols, derailed and crashed, an emergency medical service spokesperson told reporters. Tram in the Portuguese capital is popular with tourists and has operated since 1885.The line, which opened in 1885, connects Lisbon's downtown area near the Restauradores Square with the Bairro Alto (Upper Quarter), famous for its vibrant nightlife. Authorities did not identify the victims or disclose their nationalities, but said some foreign nationals were among the dead. Five people were gravely injured, the spokesperson said. The Gloria line transports around 3 million people annually, according to the town hall.Its two cars, each capable of carrying around 40 people, are attached to opposite ends of a haulage cable with traction provided by electric motors on the two cars.

Locals JUMP into wreckage of Lisbon cable car to search for survivors https://t.co/F4XeQnZulj pic.twitter.com/rlYzAsYuFG

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A spokesperson for Britain's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it was in touch with the local authorities and stood by "to provide consular assistance if there are any affected British nationals". Britain is the largest source of tourism to Portugal, followed by Germany, Spain and the United States. The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Portugal — and Lisbon in particular — have experienced a tourism boom in the past decade, with visitors cramming the popular downtown area in the summer months. Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa lamented the tragic accident in a statement, expressing hope authorities would soon establish what caused the crash.