Accident/Elevator: PS postpones National Municipal Convention marking the start of the new year

The PS National Municipal Convention, the socialist rentrée scheduled for Saturday, has been postponed due to the severity of the accident with the Elevador da Glória, the party leader announced to Lusa today, insisting on the need to determine who was responsible.

"Due to the gravity of the events that tragically occurred in Lisbon, I have decided to postpone the PS Municipal Convention," José Luís Carneiro told Lusa, adding that, if logistical conditions allow, this convention should take place on September 13.

The Socialist Secretary General said he made this decision knowing that "mourning weighs heavily on the national community and weighs dramatically on Lisbon, on the grieving families of the victims and on the families of those who were injured."

“The causes of this tragedy must be subject to an investigation into responsibilities, as there is information that points to at least negligent acts known to those most responsible,” he insisted.

José Luís Carneiro reiterated his condolences to the families and friends of the victims, and also “to the diplomatic representations accredited in Portugal that represent some of the nationalities that lost their lives in this tragic accident.”

The Prime Minister said today that 16 people have been confirmed dead and five people are in critical condition in Wednesday's accident with the Glória elevator in Lisbon.

Luís Montenegro made a statement to the media, without the right to questions, at the end of the Council of Ministers meeting, alongside the Mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas, who participated in the final part of the meeting, at the invitation of the Prime Minister.

The government has declared a day of national mourning, which falls today. Lisbon City Council has declared three days of municipal mourning, from today until Saturday.