Investigation of the accident scene. AFP Yonhap News 

Portuguese prosecutors announced on the 4th (local time) that two South Koreans died in a tram funicular derailment accident in Lisbon, Portugal.

According to AP, AFP, and BBC, a spokesperson for the Portuguese Prosecutor's Office stated that the identities of eight deceased individuals have been confirmed so far: five Portuguese, two South Koreans, and one Swiss.

An official from the South Korean Embassy in Portugal confirmed the deaths of two South Koreans and said, "We are closely cooperating with the local authorities to provide consular assistance to our affected citizens, including visiting the scene."

Earlier, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Lisbon city authorities had reported one South Korean among the injured.

The spokesperson for the Portuguese Prosecutor's Office stated that efforts to identify the remaining eight deceased are still ongoing.

Furthermore, Portuguese police indicated that based on recovered documents, it is highly likely that two Canadians and one each from Germany, the United States, and Ukraine are among the deceased, and further confirmation is needed for the remaining three.

The funicular is a cable car that ascends and descends Lisbon's hills, serving as a tourist attraction used by over 3.5 million people annually. The accident occurred on the 3rd on the Gloria line tram, which connects Restauradores Square in the city center to a viewpoint on the Bairro Alto hill.

Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro announced that afternoon that the death toll from the accident was 16, and five of the injured transported to the hospital were in critical condition.

Prior to this, Lisbon city authorities initially reported 17 fatalities and 21 injured, later correcting the death toll to 16. Among the 15 injured whose nationalities were confirmed were four Portuguese, two each from Germany and Spain, and one each from South Korea, Cape Verde, Canada, Italy, France, Switzerland, and Morocco.

Álvaro Almeida, head of the Portuguese Health Services, stated that the number of injured was 23, with six receiving intensive care and three having sustained minor injuries. He mentioned nationalities of the injured including Spain, Israel, Brazil, Italy, and France.

Prime Minister Montenegro said that government transportation experts, along with prosecutors and police, are investigating the accident.

The government's Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Agency stated that they have completed analysis of the debris and plan to release an initial report on the 5th.

Police said the preliminary investigation results would be available within 45 days.

Local media have raised the possibility that the cable used to pull the tram uphill and brake it downhill might have been damaged. Officials did not comment on the estimated causes, such as brake failure or cable breakage.

Pedro Bogas, CEO of Carris, the tram operator, claimed at a press conference that day that they had implemented a comprehensive maintenance program last year and conduct a daily 30-minute visual inspection, stating that no defects were found.

Bogas stated that he did not know how many people were on the tram at the time of the accident but said it likely did not exceed its maximum capacity of 42.

Portugal has declared the day a national day of mourning. Prime Minister Montenegro mourned, saying, "This tragedy transcends borders. This is one of the greatest tragedies in our recent history."

At the accident site that day, investigators were seen continuing their work. Nearby, flowers and other tributes left by mourners were piled up, and memorial masses were held at churches for the victims.

Yonhap News