LISBON, Portugal (AP) — The death toll from the Wednesday crash of the popular Elevador da Gloria streetcar rose to 17 on Thursday after two individuals succumbed to their injuries, according to emergency services.
All deceased were adults, confirmed Margarida Castro Martins, head of Lisbon's Civil Protection Agency. She did not disclose their identities, stating that families would be notified first.
Authorities reported an additional 21 injuries, with ages ranging from 3 to 65 years. The victims included Portuguese nationals and visitors from Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Canada, Morocco, South Korea, and Cape Verde.
The streetcar, a key tourist attraction in Lisbon known for its scenic route, derailed and crashed into a building around 6 p.m. local time. Witnesses described a loud crash and observed the streetcar lying on its side with extensive damage.
Emergency responders quickly mobilized following the incident, retrieving all victims within approximately two hours. The city council subsequently halted operations of three other funiculars for immediate inspections.
No official cause of the crash has been established, and investigators from Portugal's judicial police are examining the wreckage and rails. The streetcar, inaugurated in 1885 and classified as a national monument, typically serves thousands of tourists during the busy summer season.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas expressed condolences to the families affected, with Europe's institutions observing a moment of mourning.