• Seventeen people killed in the Lisbon funicular crash, including several foreign nationals.
• Emergency services confirmed at least 38 injured, with many suffering serious injuries.
• Authorities have commenced an investigation into the cause, with maintenance practices under scrutiny.

The city of Lisbon is reeling from a devastating funicular crash that killed at least 17 people and injured 38 others when a popular hillside tram derailed and crashed into a building. The municipal government declared a day of mourning following the tragedy on September 3. Among the deceased, authorities have confirmed victims from Portugal, South Korea, Canada, the United States, Germany, Ukraine, and Switzerland, according to multiple reports including Channel News Asia and Reuters.

The ill-fated Gloria funicular, which has been a cultural icon since its opening in 1885, reportedly lost its traction cable while descending a steep 265-meter slope. Eyewitness accounts describe a horrifying scene as the carriage careened down the hill at high speed, leading Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas to call the incident "a tragedy our city has never seen before" according to Reuters and South China Morning Post.

Flags across the city were flown at half-mast, and residents have begun to leave flowers at the crash site. The investigation into the cause of the accident has been launched by the Prosecutor General's office. Preliminary reports indicate that concerns over cable tension existed prior to the incident, yet the transport company Carris asserts that "all maintenance protocols were followed scrupulously," as reported by Channel News Asia.

Report details indicate that 38 individuals were involved in the accident, with reports of at least 11 foreigners among the injured, including two South Koreans, a Swiss national, a French citizen, and a Canadian, according to Reuters and Le Monde. Initial responses also noted the distress endured by families awaiting news of missing loved ones.

Experts caution that the investigation will need to consider any maintenance discrepancies, and they will also analyze daily inspections conducted before the crash. Historical data reveals that the funicular had transported approximately 3 million people annually, making it a vital part of the city's transport network and a favored attraction for tourists seeking to experience the scenic routes of Lisbon, as noted by Reuters and Channel News Asia.