Portugal is reeling after a tragic accident involving the historic Gloria funicular in Lisbon claimed the lives of 15 people.
The derailment occurred at approximately 18:05 on Wednesday and left another 18 people injured, five of whom are in critical condition, emergency services confirmed.
Among the deceased were foreign nationals, although officials have yet to verify their nationalities.
Lisbon’s Mayor, Carlos Moedas, visited the hospital where survivors are being treated, calling the incident a “tragic moment for the city.”
Portugal’s government has declared a national day of mourning and will host the mayor at a cabinet meeting on Thursday in response to the tragedy.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa extended his condolences, expressing "sympathy and solidarity with the families affected by this tragedy."
Multiple investigations are now underway. Police, emergency workers, the national transport safety authority, and the criminal police were present at the crash site for hours following the incident.
The public transport operator Carris stated that the funicular had undergone all required inspections, including four-yearly, biennial, and routine maintenance.
However, eyewitness accounts suggest a catastrophic brake failure. The cable-driven funicular reportedly lost control while descending a steep incline, ultimately crashing into a nearby building. Several passengers were trapped in the wreckage and had to be rescued.
The exact number of passengers on board at the time remains unclear. The crash occurred near Avenida da Liberdade, a central boulevard in Lisbon.
Dramatic video shared on social media showed the iconic yellow carriage overturned and nearly destroyed. Smoke filled the air as panicked onlookers fled the scene. Witnesses described the vehicle as “out of control” and “without brakes.”
“We all started running because we thought the carriage would crash into the one below,” said Teresa d’Avó to Portuguese newspaper Observador. “But it turned at the bend and slammed into a building.”
A separate witness told broadcaster SIC that the funicular was travelling “at full speed” before striking the structure with “brutal force,” collapsing “like a cardboard box.”
Authorities have not yet determined the cause, but Observador reported that a cable may have snapped along the route, causing the vehicle to careen out of control.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen extended condolences to victims’ families, while Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed shock at what he described as a “terrible accident.”
The Gloria funicular, operational since 1885 and electrified in the early 20th century, is among Lisbon’s most celebrated tourist attractions. The two bright yellow cars, powered by electric motors and connected by a haulage cable, enable one car to ascend as the other descends along the city’s steep hills.
Covering a 275-metre (900-foot) route between Restauradores Square and the Bairro Alto district, the ride takes just three minutes. Popular with both locals and tourists, the funicular is a vital part of Lisbon’s hilly urban landscape—especially busy during the late summer months.
Source: BBC
SMS/
