Lisbon funicular crash latest: At least 15 dead after iconic Gloria cable car derails in tourist hotspot

At least 15 people have died after Lisbon's Gloria funicular railway derailed and crashed into a building, also leaving around 18 people injured, authorities said, Report informs referring to the Independent.

Footage on Wednesday evening showed the tram-like funicular, which carries people up and down a hillside in the Portuguese capital, practically destroyed and emergency workers pulling people out of the wreckage.

Authorities would not identify the victims or disclose their nationalities, but said some foreign nationals were among the dead.

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa reacted to the tragic incident in a statement, expressing hope that authorities would soon establish what caused the crash, which happened on Wednesday at around 6pm.

Initial reports suggest the cable for the funicular came loose.

The system's two cars, each capable of carrying around 40 people, run parallel to each other as they shuttle up and down the hill on a curved, traffic-free road. They are harnessed by steel cables.

The railway, which opened in 1885, is operated by the municipal public transport company Carris. On Wednesday night, it said "all maintenance protocols had been carried out", including monthly and weekly maintenance programs and daily inspections.