At least 17 killed, 21 injured in Gloria Funicular crash in Lisbon

A funicular railway carriage popular with tourists derailed in Lisbon, killing at least 15 people and injuring more than 20.

One of the injured is believed to be a Korean woman.

Shin Ha-young has this report.

In Lisbon, Portugal, at least 17 people have died and more than 20 were injured after a carriage on the Gloria Funicular cable railway derailed.

The incident occurred around 6 PM local time on Wednesday.

Local authorities said a cable snapped, sending the tram down a steep hill before it crashed into a building and overturned.

Aerial and bystander footage showed the yellow vehicle crushed against the building.

"It fell about a meter and a half and made a huge crash — it was packed. We stayed to help. But just as we were going to assist, we saw another tram coming downhill."

According to Seoul's Foreign Ministry and local media in Portugal, one of the injured is a Korean woman.

She was taken to a hospital, but her current condition has not been reported.

"We arrived at the scene in 3 minutes, getting there very quickly. The causes of the accident will have to be analyzed by the competent authorities."

The line has served residents and tourists since 1885 and carries about 3 million passengers annually.

Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas described the crash as a "tragic moment for the city."

After the incident, the city launched emergency safety checks on other funicular cable cars.

The Portuguese government has declared Thursday as a day of national mourning, while the Lisbon city hall announced three days of mourning in the city.

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa offered his condolences and called for a swift investigation by the prosecutor general's office.

Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.