fatal accident on the da glória funicular in lisbon

Lisbon's da Glória funicular was involved in a serious accident on Wednesday evening. At around 6pm, the train derailed on its way down Rua da Glória, a slope that has linked Restauradores to Bairro Alto since 1885. According to the authorities, fifteen people died and eighteen were injured, five of them seriously, including a child. Passengers included both Portuguese and foreign tourists. The cause remains unclear, perhaps a broken cable or brake problem. The Portuguese Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating, and Thursday has been declared a day of national mourning.