Lisbon Cable Car Crash Kills 17, Injures 20+

Horrifying footage shows rescuers running over to the wreckage of a funicular tram after it crashed and killed at least 17 people in Lisbon.

Distressed onlookers can be heard screaming "there's kids under there" seconds after the cable car with tourists on board derailed and smashed into a building.

The Gloria Funicular – one of the Portuguese capital’s most iconic attractions – came off its tracks after a cable reportedly came loose on Wednesday.

Another 21 people were injured in the horrifiying crash.

The tram sped down the street out of control before smashing into the building on the bend at full speed and seemingly without brakes, reported local media.

Horrifying footage shows rescuers running over to the wreckage of a funicular tram after it crashed and killed at least 17 people in Lisbon.

Distressed onlookers can be heard screaming "there's kids under there" seconds after the cable car with tourists on board derailed and smashed into a building.

Another 21 people were injured in the horrifiying crash.

The tram sped down the street out of control before smashing into the building on the bend at full speed and seemingly without brakes, reported local media.

The funicular was destroyed as a witness recalled seeing a pedestrian crushed under the wreckage as it tipped over.

Lisbon is now facing three days of mourning - with the first victims identities being released, such as brakeman André Marques.

And a second victim is reported a German tourist who was on the tram with his wife and son, 3 - both of who survived.

It is understood to be eight women, seven men and two unidentified victims.

Among the dead and injured are understood to be Portugese nationals, Germans, Spainards, and people from South Korea, Canada, Italy, France, Switzerland, Morocco and Cape Verde.

Shocking footage shows brave civilians who saw the bright yellow and white streetcar crash rush over to help with the rescue operation.

Dozens sprinted up the steep road to find the car had flipped on its side and was torn apart into splintered metal.

Clouds of dust and smoke had engulfed the narrow lane as a crowd of concerned onlookers gathered at the bottom of the hill.

A panicked witness can be heard begging for help after saying they could hear the screams of children trapped beneath the debris.

A three-year-old child was found with minor injuries, according to local media.

Fire crews and paramedics arrived shortly after as they swarmed the wreckage.

Rescue teams hauling stretchers had to use specialised cutting equipment to get inside the mangled carriage.

Civil protection officials said 62 rescue workers and 22 vehicles were deployed to the site for the two hour rescue and recovery mission.

Portugal’s National Institute of Medical Emergencies confirmed that some of the victims were foreign nationals.

A pregnant German woman is in a critical condition, according to Observador.

An Italian woman also broke her arm, Corriere della Sera reports citing the Italian embassy in Lisbon.

André Marques, the brake guard in charge of the funicular when it derailed, has been named as the first victim.

Portugal's government has declared a national day of mourning.

The Mayor of Lisbon announced three days of mourning for the city, and Portugal's government said there would also be one day of national mourning.