At least 15 people died and several others were left injured after Lisbon's famous Gloria Funicular derailed and crashed, local officials have confirmed. Among those who suffered injuries following the horrific incident was a child, they added. Emergency services, including police and paramedics, rushed to the scene this afternoon to assist casualties and pull people out of the wrecked vehicle. At least 18 people were injured, according to officials. It was not immediately clear what caused the incident, which reportedly happened at the start of the evening rush hour, at around 6pm local time (5pm BST) on Wednesday, September 3.

The nationalities of the victims have not yet been released. The funicular railway line is one of three of its kind in Lisbon and is popular with tourists. It connects the lower part of Lisbon to its Bairro Alto and the Praça dos Restauradores to the Sao Pedro de Alcantara viewpoint.

Images from the area show scenes of panic, with bystanders crowding round one of the cars with smoke coming from it and behind it a twisted mangle of metal where another car or part of the same structure has come off the rail and broken into several parts. There were unconfirmed reports that several people were still trapped.

Eyewitnesses told local media the vehicle careened out of control down the hill. Operator, Carris, said scheduled maintenance had been carried out.

Previous reports stated three people had died and at least 20 others were left injured, including nine in a critical condition. Later reports said five of the injured were in a serious condition. The National Institute for Medical Emergencies added in a statement that an unknown number of the injured were foreigners.

In a statement, Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said he deeply regretted the fatalities and serious injuries, as well as the several minor injuries.

He expressed his condolences and solidarity with the families affected by the tragedy. Mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas, has been at the scene. He said: "Lisbon is in mourning. This was a tragic accident ... It's a tragedy of the like we've never seen."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her condolences in Portuguese. She wrote on X: "It is with sadness that I learned of the derailment of the famous 'Elevador da Glória' train. My condolences go to the families of the victims".

Some of the injured have been taken to São José Hospital and Santa Maria Hospital, local media has reported.

The yellow-and-white vehicle was lying on its side on the narrow road which it travels along, Portuguese television showed. Its sides and top could be seen partially collapsed while several dozen emergency workers were at the scene.

The Judiciary Police's homicide brigade has been called in to investigate the cause and the Public Prosecutor's Office will open an inquiry, according to CNN Portugal.

The funicular was opened in 1885 as the second of its kind in the city. Although it was only electrified in 1915, it still retains its original characteristics.