This information was released this evening through a note on the official website of the Presidency of the Republic.
“President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has been sending letters to his counterparts from the countries whose citizens were directly affected by the accident with the Elevador da Glória,” the note states.
In the letters to his counterparts, “the President of the Republic expressed his shock and sorrow at the great number of deaths and injuries in this very serious accident” and “conveyed the deep condolences and solidarity of the Portuguese people to the victims and their families, as well as wishes for a swift recovery to the injured,” it adds.
The note from the Presidency of the Republic does not specify to which heads of state the letters of condolence were sent.
According to authorities, among the 16 fatalities from Wednesday’s derailment are citizens of South Korean and Swiss nationalities. The accident has also caused serious injuries to people of various nationalities.
The Elevador da Glória, operated by the municipal company Carris, connects the Restauradores to the Jardim de São Pedro de Alcântara in Bairro Alto, over a distance of approximately 265 meters, and is popular with tourists.
President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, today expressed hope that “the investigation into the causes of Wednesday’s accident will take place as quickly as possible,” both legally and technically.
