Lisbon Funicular Tragedy Leaves 15 Dead and Dozens Injured
What happened in Lisbon this week has shaken not only Portugal but also the many visitors who know and love the city. One of Lisbon’s most iconic funiculars, the Gloria line, derailed on Wednesday evening and crashed into a building at the bottom of a steep hill. The accident left at least 15 people dead and 18 more injured, including foreign tourists. Local authorities have called it a “tragedy without precedent” in the city’s history.
According to eyewitness accounts, the funicular was seen descending far too quickly on the steep slope where it operates daily. A woman who witnessed the crash told reporters that it looked as if the brakes were completely gone. She described the violent impact with the building, saying the car collapsed like a cardboard box. Videos shared online confirmed the devastation: a cloud of smoke and debris surrounded the wreckage, and the wagon lay mangled against a wall.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene within minutes. Firefighters, police, and medical teams worked together to free victims trapped inside the debris. By the evening, officials confirmed that everyone had been removed from the wreck. Sadly, the death toll had already reached 15, with the number of injured climbing into the dozens. Authorities also noted that some of those affected were tourists, though their nationalities have not yet been confirmed.
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The government responded quickly. A national day of mourning has been declared, and both the president of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and Lisbon’s mayor, Carlos Moedas, expressed deep sorrow. European leaders, including European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, also sent condolences.
Now, attention has turned to how such a tragedy could occur. Carris, the company operating Lisbon’s funiculars, stated that all maintenance protocols had been followed, including major servicing as recently as 2024. They emphasized that daily and monthly inspections were carried out without fail. Still, it was admitted that maintenance has been outsourced to an external company for more than a decade. Authorities confirmed that a full investigation has already been opened by the public prosecutor to determine the exact causes.
The Gloria funicular is more than just a mode of transport. Built in 1885 by engineer Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard and electrified in 1915, it has long been a favorite among tourists for its short but scenic ride connecting the Rossio Square with the Bairro Alto and Principe Real districts. With space for about forty passengers, it usually climbs and descends the steep hill multiple times a day. For many visitors, it is both a practical link and a piece of Lisbon’s heritage.
For those who narrowly avoided the accident, the relief is mixed with horror. One tourist from Spain shared that his family decided not to board because the line was too long. Hours later, he realized that decision may have saved their lives.
Lisbon is now left in mourning, with its residents and visitors united in grief. A beloved symbol of the city has turned into the scene of an unimaginable disaster, and the search for answers—and accountability—has only just begun.
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