An eyewitness has provided their account of the events following the derailment of Lisbon's Gloria Funicular on Wednesday (3 September), which resulted in 15 fatalities.

In addition to those who lost their lives, 18 individuals were injured, including a child, according to a statement from the National Institute for Medical Emergencies. Five of these are reported to be in critical condition.

The funicular carriage, a favored tourist spot, derailed in the Portuguese capital at approximately 6pm, as stated by the Portuguese president’s office.

Authorities have described it as the most severe accident in the city's recent history. Currently, it is unclear how many of the deceased and injured are Portuguese nationals and how many are foreign visitors.

Although it's too early to establish the cause of the accident, according to the BBC, a police investigation is underway, and witnesses are coming forward to share their observations.

Eyewitnesses are coming forward following Lisbon's tram crash on Wednesday (PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images)

The Portuguese newspaper Observador has reported that a cable detached along the railway's path, leading to a loss of control, though this has not yet been confirmed by officials.

Witnesses also informed local news outlets that the well-known funicular was descending the hill, seemingly without control.

One witness described how emergency services quickly arrived at the scene, noting that 'many people appeared to be unconscious'.

They recounted: "The police arrived in less than five minutes and instructed us to move back, with the first ambulances arriving five minutes later.

"One of the victims I observed was severely injured and covered in blood. Numerous people seemed to be unconscious."

Meanwhile, other witnesses told Observador that the carriage seemed to be 'out of control, without brakes'.

Teresa d'Avó recalled: "We all started to run away because we feared [the carriage] would collide with the one below. But it turned at the bend and crashed into a building."

Another eyewitness informed a Portuguese TV channel, SIC, that the carriage struck a building as it descended the street 'at full speed'.

They asserted: "It hit a building with tremendous force and collapsed like a cardboard box; it had no brakes."

An investigation has been launched to determine why the tragedy occurred (PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/Getty Images)

Carris, the company operating the funicular, stated that routine maintenance had been conducted.

In the wake of the tragedy, Portugal’s government has declared a national day of mourning for today (4 September).

In a statement, it conveyed: "A tragic accident … led to the irreparable loss of human life, leaving their families in mourning and shocking the entire nation."

Additionally, Lisbon's Mayor Carlos Moedas told reporters at the scene that the city was grieving.

He stated: "This was a tragic accident … A tragedy of a magnitude we've never experienced."

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has also extended his condolences to the families affected.

The precise details of how the crash occurred and who was on board are still to be disclosed as the investigation progresses.

The funicular, known as the Elevador da Gloria, can accommodate over 40 people, both seated and standing - it is frequently used by Lisbon residents and is designated as a national monument.