Tram disaster in Lisbon: British tourist recounts the horrors of the accident.

According to The Sun: A British mother, who witnessed the tram disaster in Lisbon, recounted how she heard a 'horrific crack' before being advised to stay in the hotel to avoid seeing the horrors outside.

As a result of the terrible collision, at least 16 people died, and passengers were trapped under the debris while rescuers tried to free them.

Felix Ferriter, one of the tourists, stated in an interview with Sky News that while unpacking in the hotel, she heard a dreadful roar.

Her daughter, who was in the adjacent room, heard screams from the accident site and quickly ran to her mother.

The group went downstairs where they were told: “Do not go outside – it is horrific, and there are casualties.”

Felix also added that when they were dropped off at the Restaudores square in the morning before the accident, she and her husband noticed the tram and decided, “We will ride it tomorrow morning.”

The woman shared the horrifying moments that preceded the tragedy.

“We entered the hotel, went up to the room, and while unpacking, a terrible roar sounded. My daughter, in the adjacent room, heard the screams, realized something happened, and came to us.”

Shocked witnesses heard someone shouting: “There are children under the debris” just seconds after the cable car, packed with tourists, derailed and collided with a building.

Footage from the scene showed dozens of people rushing uphill, trying to find the overturned carriage, which was broken to pieces. Smoke and dust filled the narrow street as a crowd of onlookers gathered on the hill.

Circumstances of the accident and expert conclusions

The carriage derailed and began moving downhill at high speed, losing control, according to eyewitness accounts.

The cable car was performing its routine route of 741 meters across the Portuguese capital around 6 PM local time.

At the time of the accident, there were at least 38 people inside, most of whom were locals and tourists during peak hours in the vibrant city.

Despite the circumstances of the accident being under investigation, experts believe that one of the cables holding the carriage snapped, causing a “metallic strike,” resulting in the carriage derailing.

“I noticed that the tram did not stop where it was supposed to,” said Bruno Pereira to CNN Portugal.

Unfortunately, among the injured is a three-year-old boy who lost his father and was seen asking police for help. His mother is also fighting for her life.

This tragedy has touched people from various countries, including Germany, Spain, and South Korea. Portugal has declared a national day of mourning.

All injured are receiving necessary help, and police are actively investigating to uncover all the details of this tragedy.

The true tragedy in Lisbon highlights the importance of safety in public transport, as such events can happen at any moment. The ongoing investigation should help prevent similar incidents in the future and ensure the safety of passengers on cable cars and trams, which are a crucial part of the transport infrastructure of cities.