It was just after 18:00 on Wednesday when a carriage on Lisbon's famous Glória funicular careened down a steep cobblestoned street, crashing into a building and crumpling before the eyes of horrified witnesses.

Eyewitness Helen Chow described how the carriage lost control and barreled down at full speed. It sounded like a bomb, followed by complete scary silence... There was pitch black smoke. Once it dissipated, you saw exactly what happened, she recalled, visibly shaken by the traumatic experience.

Tragically, the incident resulted in the deaths of at least 16 people and injured about 20 others, some critically. The crash occurred near the bustling Avenida da Liberdade in the heart of Lisbon, prompting immediate police investigations into the cause.

A verified video showed the remnants of the battered yellow-and-white train against the building, with frantic people rushing toward the scene. Witness accounts painted a dire picture, with some describing a terrifying speed and lack of control as the carriage descended.

Rasha Abdo, who was aboard the lower carriage, reported an alarming absence of brakes and an acceleration leading to a forceful stop. I shouted to my wife, 'we are all going to die here,' because I thought that funicular was coming down to hit ours, Abel Esteves, another passenger, echoed his fear after witnessing the upper carriage hurtle toward them.

Community members rushed to assist, while testimonies from first responders and local residents depicted an overwhelming sense of chaos and despair. Marianna Figueiredo, a tour guide, described the tragic scene as very difficult to describe, expressing solidarity with those in mourning.

As investigations continue, the local community stands together to support the victims' families. The tragedy has raised concerns over the safety and regulation of the historic funicular system, prompting urgent discussions about transportation safety in Lisbon.

Reporting by Alex Akhurst, Bernadette McCague, Marina Costa, and Alice Cuddy.