Miscommunication Leads to Confusion Over German Casualty in Lisbon Tram Accident

A tragic incident involving a tram accident in Lisbon has taken a perplexing turn, as a family from Hamburg was initially misinformed about the fate of a family member. Reports emerged on Thursday, following the accident, indicating that a German family man was among the deceased. However, subsequent investigations revealed a different story.

On the day following the tram incident, local media reported that a German father had died, with the Lisbon criminal police suggesting that he was likely one of the 17 confirmed fatalities. Yet, the situation became increasingly unclear when the German Foreign Office announced it had no information regarding German victims in the accident, and the local police revised the death toll to 16.

The family's ordeal began when they were informed that the father had died, the mother was severely injured, and their three-year-old child had escaped unharmed. Acting on this distressing news, the relatives traveled to the Institute of Legal Medicine to identify the supposed body of the father but were unable to locate him there.

Determined to find answers, the family approached a police officer in the city, showing him a photo of the father. The officer promptly directed them to São José Hospital, where they discovered that the man they believed to be dead was actually alive and being treated for his injuries. This revelation confirmed that he was not among the deceased but rather one of the 23 injured in the accident. The condition of the father remains undisclosed, while the 45-year-old mother is reported to be in critical but stable condition at Santa Maria Hospital.

The Lisbon criminal police later issued a statement confirming that the German citizen initially reported as a casualty was indeed recovering in São José Hospital. As of now, the 16 confirmed fatalities have been identified, which include five Portuguese nationals, three British citizens, two Canadians, two South Koreans, a Swiss national, a Ukrainian, an American, and a French citizen.

This incident underscores the chaotic aftermath of tragic events and the importance of accurate communication during crises.