Eye-witness account from our reporter Jake Evans from the funicular tram crash site in Lisbon, Portugal.
Portugal has declared a day of mourning after at least 17 people were killed when Lisbon’s Elevador da Gloria funicular derailed and crashed.
Portuguese government officials said Thursday (today) would be a national day of prayer and reflection to commemorate the victims.
Emergency services said all the victims have now been recovered from the wreckage.
The funicular tram is of the city’s major tourist attractions. It came off its rails and hit a building yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon.
As well as 17 people killed, emergency services confirmed 21 others were injured in the crash.
“I saw it as I exited the metro”
I flew into Lisbon yesterday to begin some work at a health retreat about 100 miles north of the city. My plan was to spend 24 hours exploring Lisbon before heading up the country.
The incident occurred as I was in the air. I was blissfully unaware as I exited the metro station near the crash site.
It was truly shocking scene to witness. As soon as I’d figured out what had happened my next thought was: “I could have been on that tram.”
It’s one of the obvious tourist things to do, which really brought home the reality of what had happened.
It’s an awful moment for Portugal and my heart goes out to the loved ones of all those who were killed in this terrible tragedy.
