Lisbon, Sep 4 (EFE).- At least 16 people from 14 different nationalities were killed and 23 others injured, 10 of them seriously, in Wednesday’s derailment of the historic Glória funicular in Lisbon, Portuguese authorities confirmed Thursday.
The Legal Medicine and Forensic Science Institute has completed autopsies of all the victims, though eight remain unidentified.
The identified victims include five Portuguese nationals, two South Koreans, and one Swiss citizen. Among the dead is the funicular’s brake operator.
International victims among dead and injured
Judicial Police chief Luís Neves said investigators had established “with a high degree of probability” the identity of an additional German, two Canadians, a Ukrainian, and an American.
“Three remain to be confirmed, which we hope will happen today,” Neves added.
Of the 23 injured, nine remain in serious condition.
Authorities identified three Portuguese, one German, one South Korean, one Swiss, and one Cape Verdean among them, while one severely injured victim has yet to be identified.
Tragedy struck one German family: a woman was gravely injured, her husband was killed, and their three-year-old son suffered minor injuries.
Civil Protection reported that those with minor injuries include Israelis, Brazilians, Spaniards, Italians, French, Moroccans, Canadians, Portuguese, Germans, South Koreans, Cape Verdeans, and a Swiss citizen.
Two Spanish nationals have already been discharged from hospital.
Investigation underway
The wreckage of the funicular remained cordoned off on Thursday on Calçada da Glória, where the tram derailed on a curve at around 6:00 pm.
Experts from the Judicial Police and technical staff from Carris, the Lisbon transport company, worked at the site to remove debris and inspect the tracks.
Authorities announced that evidence collection had concluded and pledged a swift investigation.
“At this stage, no cause is ruled out,” Neves emphasized. “We must keep an open mind until we are sure.”
The Office for Aircraft and Railway Accident Investigation (GPIAAF) is conducting its own probe and expects to release a preliminary report within 45 days.
Maintenance contracts under scrutiny
Carris, which operates Lisbon’s historic funiculars, has opened an internal investigation and hired external consultants at the request of Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas.
The company defended its safety standards, noting increased investment in maintenance in recent years.
Carris explained that maintenance of the funiculars has been outsourced since 2007.
Although its contract with engineering firm Main (MNTC-Serviços Técnicos de Engenharia) expired in late August, the company continued working under a temporary arrangement pending a new public tender.
The Glória funicular, inaugurated in 1885, links Restauradores Square with the Bairro Alto district and the popular São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint.
It is one of Lisbon’s most visited tourist attractions. EFE
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