Portuguese authorities have identified the American who was killed in a funicular crash near Lisbon earlier this week.

Dr. Heather Hall, an instructor at the College of Charleston, was visiting Portugal to speak at a conference when she rode the iconic Glória Funicular on Wednesday. Hall's death was confirmed by Fran Welch, dean of the college's School of Education, where Hall taught courses in the Department of Teacher Education.

The Context

At least 16 people were killed and 21 were injured after the funicular derailed during the evening rush hour on Wednesday and crashed into a building. The Ascensor da Glória connected Lisbon's Praça dos Restauradores with the Bairro Alto district since 1885.

Emergency crews—including police, firefighters, and paramedics—rushed to the scene, deploy

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