BRUSSELS

At least 15 people were killed and 18 injured Wednesday when Lisbon's historic Gloria funicular derailed and crashed into a building on Rua da Gloria, according to media reports.

The accident occurred shortly after 6 pm local time (1600GMT) as the funicular was descending from the Sao Pedro de Alcantara viewpoint toward Restauradores, said the Diario de Noticias newspaper.

Emergency services removed all of the victims from the wreckage. Nine people of the injured, including five in serious condition, while three others, including a child with minor injuries, were transferred to hospitals.

The cause of the derailment is unknown. The Judicial Police launched an investigation to determine the cause and whether criminal factors were involved.

The Aircraft and Railway Accident Prevention and Investigation Office (GPIAAF), meanwhile, will begin collecting evidence Thursday, due to limited resources in the area.

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said he "deeply regretted the accident, particularly the fatalities and serious injuries, as well as the several minor injuries."

He expressed condolences and solidarity with the victims' families, saying he hoped the tragedy would be clarified quickly by authorities.

The government announced it will declare national mourning.

"Lisbon is in mourning. It's a tragedy that has never happened before in our city," said Mayor Carlos Moedas.