“`html
Portugal is in mourning following a tragic accident on Wednesday evening that claimed the lives of 16 individuals and left 20 injured after a derailment on Lisbon’s renowned Glória funicular cable railway.
Among the deceased was a transport worker, while reports indicate that a three-year-old boy from Germany sustained minor injuries.
Authorities are working to confirm the identities of the victims, and the following details have been established thus far.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro addressed the nation in a press conference on Thursday, confirming the death toll at 16, a revision from the initial estimate of 17 provided by emergency services.
Margarida Castro Martins, head of Lisbon’s Civil Protection Agency, stated that the deceased include seven men and eight women.
As of Thursday, five of the victims have been identified as Portuguese nationals, with two Korean and one Swiss citizen also confirmed among the dead. The nationalities of the remaining eight individuals are pending confirmation.
The Glória funicular serves as a vital transportation link for both tourists and local residents, facilitating travel across Lisbon’s steep terrain.
Sitra, the Portuguese transport union, confirmed that André Jorge Gonçalves Marques, who served as the brake guard on the funicular, was among those killed.
The union expressed its condolences in a Facebook post, stating, “We send our condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the accident and wish them a speedy recovery as well as the best recovery to the others injured in the accident.”
Carris, the operator of the funicular, described Mr. Marques as a “dedicated, kind and happy professional, always willing to contribute to the greater good.”
The Portuguese Volleyball Federation identified former volleyball referee Pedro Manuel Alves Trindade as another victim of the tragic incident, expressing “deep sadness” over the loss.
The federation noted that Mr. Trindade held a leadership position within the Lisbon Volleyball Association and served as a referee.
Portuguese media outlets have identified lawyer Alda Matias as another victim of the crash.
Reports indicate that Ms. Matias was affiliated with the Santa Casa da Misericórdia organization, which Mr. Trindade is also said to have connections with.
Correio da Manha reports that two additional employees of the non-profit group were killed, with seven others sustaining injuries.
Ms. Martins stated that the injured include 12 women and seven men ranging in age from 24 to 65, along with a three-year-old child.
Local media sources indicate that a family of three from Germany was aboard the funicular at the time of the accident.
According to the Portuguese news outlet Observador, the father perished at the scene, while the mother is reported to be in critical condition at a local hospital. Their three-year-old son sustained minor injuries.
São José hospital reported that of the five “severely injured” individuals admitted on Wednesday, one has died, three are in a “controlled condition,” and one remains in intensive care as of Thursday.
The hospital further noted that a pregnant woman and a child were among four individuals with minor injuries who have been discharged.
Emergency services report that the injured include four Portuguese nationals and 11 foreign nationals from Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Canada, South Korea, Morocco, and Cape Verde.
The Glória funicular has a capacity of approximately 40 passengers and is a popular attraction for tourists, while also serving as a crucial transportation artery for Lisbon’s residents, facilitating travel across the city’s hilly terrain.
The precise number of passengers on board at the time of the accident and the identities of all the deceased remain under investigation. The death toll and the number of injured individuals are subject to change as the situation evolves.
At this time, it is unknown whether any UK nationals were involved in the incident. The UK Foreign Office has stated that it is aware of the situation and stands ready to provide consular assistance to any affected British citizens.
“`