Footage shows the tram-like funicular, which is popular with tourists, practically destroyed and emergency workers pulling people out of the wreckage.

At least 15 people have died and 18 are injured after the iconic Gloria funicular in Lisbon derailed and crashed, emergency services have said.

A child is among the injured and five of those who were hurt are in a serious condition, the National Institute for Medical Emergencies said in a statement.

Footage from the site showed the tram-like funicular, which is popular with tourists, 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.

The UK Foreign Office has said it is in touch with authorities in Lisbon and is ready to “provide consular assistance if there are any affected British nationals”.

Lisbon’s mayor Carlos Moedas has said there will be three days of mourning for the victims of the “tragic accident”.

He added: “I extend my heartfelt condolences to all the families and friends of the victims. Lisbon is in mourning.”

It is not immediately clear what caused the crash which happened at around 6pm – the start of evening rush hour.

Carris, the company that operates the funicular, said scheduled maintenance had been carried out.

Image:Investigators have been working at the site of the wreckage. Pic: AP

Image:Pic: AP

Eyewitnesses told local media that the funicular careered down the hill, apparently out of control.

Images show how the yellow and white carriage fell apart as a result of the crash.

The Gloria, which can carry more than 40 people, is one of three funiculars in the Portuguese capital and is classified as a national monument.

It connects downtown Lisbon with the neighbourhood of Bairro Alto and is commonly used by both residents and tourists.

Two carriages attached to the same haulage cable run parallel to each other as they shuttle up and down the hill for a few hundred metres.

The second carriage was apparently undamaged, but footage aired by CNN Portugal showed it jolting violently, with several passengers jumping out of its windows, when the other one derailed.

Mr Moedas told the Portuguese news site Diario de Noticia: “It is a tragedy that has never happened in our city. The moment is for action and help. I thank you all for the response in a few minutes. The only thing I can say is that it is a very tragic day.”

It comes as Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has offered his condolences to families affected by the tragedy.

What is the iconic Gloria funicular?

The funicular opened in 1885 as the second of its kind in the city.

It was electrified in 1915 after having originally been powered by water counterweight.

The Gloria, like the two other funiculars in Lisbon, was designed by the Portuguese engineer Raoul Mesnier de Ponsard.

It is the best-known and most popular funicular in the city and is said to transport around three million people a year.

The funicular connects downtown’s Restauradores Square to the neighbourhood of Bairro Alto at the top of a hill in just three minutes.

It departs every 12 minutes from both sides, starting at 7:15am. The last departure is at 11:55pm.

The view from Bairro Alto is said by many to be the best in Lisbon.

Meanwhile, EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has written on X: “It is with sadness that I learned of the derailment of the famous ‘Elevador da Gloria’. My condolences to the families of the victims.”

Portugal’s defence minister Nuno Melo said: “The accident in Lisbon with the Gloria elevator was a tragedy that caused strong commotion and consternation in Portugal and in the world… I express all my solidarity and offer heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.”

An investigation into the cause will begin once the rescue operation is over, the Portuguese government said in a statement.