Three dead after historic funicular railway derails in Lisbon

At least three people were killed and 20 injured when Lisbon’s famous Gloria funicular cable railway derailed and crashed, according to emergency services.

According to an earlier statement, the head of Portugal’s Civil Protection Authority said that several people were still trapped at the scene, with two in serious condition.

According to the Portuguese newspaper Observador, a cable came loose along the railway route, causing the train to lose control and collide with a nearby building.

On Wednesday evening, around 18:05, an incident occurred near the Avenida da Liberdade.

Footage shared widely on social media showed the yellow funicular overturned and almost entirely destroyed.

People could be seen fleeing the area on foot as what appears to be smoke smoke filled the air.

The Gloria Funicular is one of the most famous sights and tourist attractions in Lisbon. It was opened in 1885 and electrified three decades later.