It was just after 18:00 on Wednesday when a carriage on Lisbon's famous Glória funicular careened around the bend of a steep cobblestoned street, crashing into a building, according to eyewitnesses.
The carriage 'lost control', descending at full speed and crashing on its side, Helen Chow, who was at the base of the hill, reported. 'It sounded like a bomb,' she said, followed by 'complete scary silence... There was pitch black smoke. Once it dissipated, you saw exactly what happened.'
Police are investigating the crash, which has resulted in at least 16 fatalities and about 20 injuries—some critical—near Lisbon's Avenida da Liberdade. Video footage shows the yellow-and-white train against the building with frantic people rushing towards the scene.
Witnesses described the chaos, with one asserting that the carriage had 'no brakes' and was rapidly descending. Rasha Abdo, who was in the lower carriage, said it suddenly accelerated without control, and upon stopping, people crashed into each other inside the cabin.
Many were involved in trying to rescue survivors once the crash occurred, a task made more complicated when another carriage came barreling down without warning.
With tourists nearby almost taking the funicular at the time of the accident, the tragedy left the local community shocked and grieving. As investigations continue, thoughts are with the victims' families and everyone affected by this incident.
