Lisbon Funicular Tragedy Leaves 16 Dead and Dozens Injured
It was supposed to be a routine late afternoon ride on one of Lisbon’s most beloved landmarks, the Elevador da Glória. Instead, it turned into one of the deadliest tragedies in Portugal’s recent history. On Wednesday evening, the iconic yellow funicular, which connects Avenida da Liberdade to the popular viewpoint at São Pedro de Alc'sntara, derailed and slammed into a nearby building. By the next morning, officials confirmed that 16 people had been killed, among them a Canadian tourist, while at least five others were left in critical condition.
What makes this even more devastating is that many of the victims were foreigners. The funicular is not only used by locals but is also one of Lisbon’s busiest tourist attractions. Authorities revealed that people from Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, South Korea, Morocco, Cape Verde, and Canada were among the dead and injured. A particularly heartbreaking case involved a German family—reports say the father was killed instantly, while the mother remains in critical condition. Their three-year-old child, though injured, survived with only light wounds.
Also Read:Witnesses described scenes of chaos and disbelief. According to one account, one of the funicular’s cars had already reached the bottom of the hill when the second car suddenly lost control. As people rushed to help those who had safely exited the first car, they saw the other wagon barreling down the steep street at terrifying speed. It derailed at a bend and crashed violently into an adjacent building. The impact left the vehicle mangled and spread debris across the narrow street, forcing onlookers to flee in panic.
Officials have not yet confirmed the exact cause. Investigators are focusing on a possible cable failure, which may have disabled the braking system. Questions are also being raised about maintenance. The operator, Carris, insists that all required checks had been performed, but it has admitted that upkeep has been outsourced to a private company for over a decade. To prevent further risks, the city immediately suspended operations on Lisbon’s three other funiculars until safety inspections are complete.
This accident has shaken Portugal deeply. Prime Minister LuÃs Montenegro called it “one of the greatest human tragedies of our recent history,” while Lisbon’s mayor declared that such a catastrophe had never before occurred in the city. A day of national mourning was ordered, and flags were lowered as rescue teams and investigators continued their grim work at the site.
For many Lisbon residents and visitors, the Elevador da Glória was more than just a means of transport—it was a piece of the city’s soul, carrying people up its steep slopes for nearly 140 years. Its sudden transformation from a symbol of charm to a scene of horror is something that few will ever forget. And as Portugal grieves, tough questions remain about how such a disaster could have happened on a system that had stood the test of time for generations.
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