At least 15 people were killed and 18 others injured in a terrible accident that occurred on the evening of September 3 on the subway line climbing Gloria slope - the most famous tourist symbol in the capital Lisbon, Portugal.
According to the emergency medical service agency, the accident occurred at around 6pm (local time), during the afternoon rush hour. A Gloria train car suddenly derailed the track and plunged down, leaving many passengers trapped in the rubble.
Images taken at the scene showed the train was almost completely destroyed. Rescue forces spent many hours to get the injured out, including tourists.
Carris Public Transport Company - the operator of the metro line - said it had immediately contacted rescue and security forces, but had not provided any information about the cause of the incident.
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed deep condolences for the disastrous accident with the Gloria, especially the victims who died and were seriously injured. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also sent her condolences to the victims' families in the message posted in Portuguese.
The Gloria train line has been in operation since 1885, connecting the central area of Lisbon near Restaurador Square with Bairro Alto - a famous highland neighborhood. This is an attractive destination for tourists, transporting more than 3 million passengers per year.
The two Gloria cars are connected at both ends of the cable pulling, operated by an electric motor. The ferry terminal down the route was not affected, but passengers were forced to jump through the window to escape when the incident occurred.
The cause of the accident is currently being investigated.
