Lisbon's Gloria funicular has become the subject of several investigations from authorities following the crash that has killed at least 16 people.

We've taken a closer look at the funicular, and answered some key questions:

Where does it go?

The Gloria funicular travels from Restauradores, a square in the middle of Lisbon, up to the picturesque area of Bairro Alto. It takes just three minutes to travel one-way.

How does it operate?

Unlike traditional funiculars, the two cars on the Gloria funicular are powered by electric motors.

They are attached to opposite ends of a haulage cable meaning that as one travels downhill, its weight lifts the other, allowing them to ascend and descend simultaneously.

There's a funicular brakeman operating the movement of each car.

How many are there?

There are two carriages of the Gloria funicular, which transport over three million passengers a year, according to various Lisbon tourist guides.

It runs every day of the week, every 10 minutes in peak times and every 15 minutes on Sundays and public holidays.

The Gloria is one of three traditional funicular lines in Lisbon, operated by Carris. It can carry up to 43 passengers and is extremely popular with tourists

How much does it cost?

The funicular costs €4.20 (£3.64) to go up and down once on the same day.

Anyone with the 24-hour "navegante" public transport card (€7) can ride for free - same for tourists with the Lisboa card.

Are you in the area? Did you witness the incident? If it is safe to do so, please get in touch.

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We can now bring you the latest images from the site of the crash this morning. The area is still cordoned off, and the wrecked carriage remains on the steep hill.

Here are the latest images from Lisbon this morning:

Image source, AFP via Getty Images

Image source, Reuters

Image source, AFP via Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

As we have been reporting, at least 16 people have been killed and many more injured in the crash.

Authorities have not identified the victims or disclosed their nationalities, but have said some foreign nationals are among the dead.

The UK Foreign Office has released a statement to us which says:

"We are aware of this incident in Lisbon and are in touch with the local authorities.

"We stand by to provide consular assistance if there are any affected British nationals.”

One of the people who was injured and taken to the Hospital de São José has died overnight, Portugal's national news agency Lusa is reporting.

It brings the death toll of the incident to 16.

A police official has also told local media that the number of people injured has risen to more than 20.

We'll continue to bring you the latest on the incident, including the number of people killed and injured, as we learn it.

Portuguese media report that a German family were on board the funicular when the crash happened.

A German man is reported to be among those who died, as his wife and three-year-old son were rescued by authorities, a police source has told local media.

As a reminder, Lisbon authorities are yet to release official confirmation of the identities of those killed in the funicular crash.

Portuguese news outlet Observador, external report that the father died at the scene, the mother is in critical condition in hospital and the three-year-old boy escaped the accident with minor injuries.

We're starting to receive reports of those killed in the funicular crash last night, however we're still awaiting official confirmation from authorities in Lisbon.

Portuguese transport union Sitra say a man who worked for Carris, the company who run the Gloria funicular, was killed in the crash.

They say André Jorge Gonçalves Marques, who worked as a brake guard, is one of the 15 people killed in Wednesday's crash.

Police have not yet confirmed the identities of those who lost their lives in the incident.

In a statement on Facebook, Sitra say: "We also send our condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the accident and wish them a speedy recovery as well as the best recovery to the others injured in the accident."

Alison Roberts
Reporting from Lisbon

The investigation has only just got under way, and the national transport safety authority only started work this morning.

In local media, the focus is on the cable which enables the counterweight system to work. This cable allows the carriage to travel up and down this very steep hill in the centre of Lisbon.

This system has been used since 1914. Initially it was operated on a water system, then on a steam-based system - now it is electric.

As well as the focus on this cable, there is also the question of how it came off the rails and why the braking system was not sufficient to stop the car from hurtling down this very steep slope.

Investigators say it's too early to determine the cause of the crash, but local media have been sharing the accounts of some of those who were at the scene.

One witness told Portuguese newspaper Observador the vehicle was "out of control, without brakes".

"We all started running away because we thought [the carriage] was going to hit the one below," said Teresa d'Avó.

"But it fell around the bend and crashed into a building."

Another eyewitness told Portuguese TV channel SIC that the funicular hit a building as it sped down the steep street "at full speed".

"It hit a building with brutal force and collapsed like a cardboard box; it had no brakes," the woman said.

Alison Roberts
Reporting from Lisbon

Portugal's public prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into the crash, national news agency Lusa reports.

"As is customary in these types of situations, and as required by law, the public prosecutor's office will open an investigation," the attorney general's office tells the news agency in a statement.

It adds that the public prosecutor's office "is carrying out the necessary procedures, within the scope of its powers, particularly for the purpose of preserving evidence, with guidance and in co-ordination with police agencies".

As we've been reporting, we've already heard that the police, the national transport safety authority and the company that runs the Gloria funicular are also investigating.

It's been just over 13 hours since Lisbon's Gloria funicular derailed, killing at least 15 people.

Let's get you up to date with the latest:

What we know

• The 140-year-old cable railway, a popular tourist attraction, derailed and crashed into a building near the Avenida da Liberdade at around 18:15
• At least 15 people were killed, including foreigners, and 18 others injured - five are in serious condition
• Portuguese newspaper Observador reported that a cable came loose along the railway's route, causing it to lose control

• Eyewitnesses say the funicular hurtled down the steep street, and one described the carriage as being "out of control, without brakes"

What we don't know

• The cause of the crash, we're yet to hear from officials but investigations by police, the national transport safety authority and the company that runs the Gloria funicular are under way
• How many people were on board

• The identity of those killed, and their nationalities

Footage from the scene in central Lisbon yesterday showed the aftermath of the crash, as the historic tram was all but destroyed.

Emergency services were on the scene within minutes.

While authorities now work to identify those killed and what caused the crash, let's take a look back to the response in Lisbon last night.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Portugal is observing a national day of mourning following the fatal funicular derailment in Lisbon.

Prime Minister Luís Montenegro says he has cancelled his agenda for Thursday.

However, he is still expected to virtually attend a meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing in Paris, which will be chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron.

"The government declared a day of national mourning for the Ascensor da Glória tragedy in Lisbon," read a statement issued by Montenegro's office last night.

"It's a tragic day for our city... Lisbon is in mourning, it is a tragic, tragic incident," Mayor of Lisbon Carlos Moedas said yesterday evening.

Matt Spivey
Live editor

Lisbon residents are waking up hours after at least 15 people were killed when the 140-year-old Gloria funicular derailed and crashed into a building at speed in the Portuguese capital.

Another 18 people have been taken to hospital, five of them in a serious condition, according to the emergency services who gave an update last night after the incident which took place around 18:15 local time.

Lisbon's mayor, Carlos Moedas, has described the incident as a "tragic moment for the city" - and Portugal's government has declared a national day of mourning.

But, as the city reels, big questions remain - including how the crash occurred and who was on board.

We've reporters on the ground ready to bring you the latest, so stick with us.

Image source, epa

At least 15 people have been killed after Lisbon's world-famous Gloria funicular cable railway derailed and hit a building.

The crash happened at around 18:15 local time (18:15 BST). Eighteen people have been injured and taken to hospital, authorities say, including one child.

Everyone trapped inside has been freed, but emergency workers and forensics staff are continuing to comb through the scene of the crash into the night.

We've not yet had official confirmation of what caused the crash. An eyewitness has told the Portuguese TV channel SIC that the funicular hit a building as it sped down the steep street "at full speed", AFP news agency reports.

"It hit a building with brutal force and collapsed like a cardboard box; it had no brakes," the woman said.

The company that operates the trams has said it is "very sorry about what happened" and that they "need to get to the bottom" of it. The Portuguese government has declared Thursday a day of national mourning, while Lisbon city has announced three days of mourning.

We're ending our live coverage now. Here's everything you need to know about the crash, and you can continue to follow updates in our news story.

The BBC has verified videos circulating on social media showing the aftermath of the crash.

In one video, the debris of the funicular can be seen next to a building, with smoke filling the area and people running.

Another video shows people removing the debris of the funicular, which has been broken into pieces.

The Gloria Funicular can carry up to 43 passengers and is extremely popular with tourists.

It is not known how many people were onboard at the time of the collision, however.

Portugal's emergency medical service authority says at least 15 people have been been killed and 18 others injured.

It's not clear if they were passengers or pedestrians.

Though all the victims have now been transported to the hospital, emergency personnel are still monitoring pieces of overturned wreckage.

Here are the latest pictures from the scene.

Image source, MIGUEL A LOPES/EPA/Shutterstock

Image source, Reuters

Alison Roberts
Reporting from Lisbon

Carris, the company that runs Lisbon's trams and funiculars is going to open its own investigation, following tonight's terrible incident.

It also says its regular maintenance, which is carried out every four years, was last done 2022. Its interim maintenance was conducted last year, and regular monthly and weekly checks also took place.

As far as the company knows, everything was done according to the book, it says.

But one of the unions representing Carris employees has expressed concerns that not enough maintenance has been carried out. Carris denies this is the case.

The transport accident investigation department is going to open its own investigation - and the criminal police are already on the scene.

This is clearly a very serious incident.

A witness tells Portuguese TV channel SIC that the funicular, which can hold around 40 people, hit a building as it sped down the steep street "at full speed", AFP news agency reports.

"It hit a building with brutal force and collapsed like a cardboard box; it had no brakes," the woman says.