• 15 people have been killed in a streetcar derailment in Lisbon.
• 18 others are injured, including a child, with several in serious condition.
• The accident is considered the worst in Lisbon's recent history, prompting deep public mourning.
• Authorities are investigating the causes of the derailment, which remains unclear.
• A national day of mourning has been declared across Portugal.

On Wednesday, an electric streetcar, known as the Elevador da Gloria and a prominent tourist attraction, derailed in Lisbon, resulting in the deaths of 15 individuals and injuries to 18 others, including a child. This incident is being described as the worst in the city's recent history, evoking a somber atmosphere in Lisbon, which attracts millions of tourists annually. The National Institute for Medical Emergencies confirmed that five of the injured are in serious condition, raising concerns about the safety of this popular mode of transport, especially as many victims were reported to be foreigners, according to Le Monde and Los Angeles Times.

Eyewitness accounts describe the streetcar careening down a steep hill out of control before it lay on its side after crashing into a nearby building. Reports indicated that maintenance on the streetcar had been performed recently, complicating the investigation into the cause of the crash. Officials have not yet confirmed whether factors like a brake failure or a snapped cable could have contributed to the derailment, which occurred during the busy evening rush hour at approximately 6 PM, according to CBS News and South China Morning Post.

In response to the catastrophe, Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas announced that the city is in mourning, articulating, "It’s a tragedy of the like we’ve never seen." The government declared a national day of mourning on Thursday, highlighting that "a tragic accident... caused the irreparable loss of human life," according to NPR and Los Angeles Times.

The streetcar service, in operation since 1885, is classified as a national monument and operates along a curved, traffic-free road, typically featuring long lines of tourists eager for the scenic ride. Accidents of this magnitude raise significant safety concerns. After the crash, operations of three other city funiculars were halted while thorough inspections were conducted, as the government promises a full investigation into this tragic event, according to sources including Le Monde, CBS News, and South China Morning Post.