Lisbon Funicular Tragedy Leaves Portugal in Mourning
On the evening of September 3rd, Lisbon was shaken by a tragedy no one could have imagined. The famous Gloria funicular, one of the most iconic modes of transport in the Portuguese capital, derailed and slammed into a building, leaving at least 15 people dead and 23 injured. Among the injured was a French woman, and several of the wounded remain in critical condition.
The accident happened just after 6 p.m. when the funicular, which usually carries both locals and tourists up and down one of Lisbon’s steepest hills, was seen hurtling downhill at a frightening speed. Witnesses described the scene with shock—one woman told a Portuguese TV channel that the carriage looked completely out of control, crashing into a building “like a cardboard box.” The vehicle, which has space for about 40 passengers, was packed with people at the time.
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For those who know Lisbon, the Gloria funicular is not just a means of transport—it’s part of the city’s charm, linking the Rossio square with the Bairro Alto and Principe Real districts. Built in 1885 by engineer Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard and later electrified in 1915, it has long been considered both a practical solution for steep climbs and a tourist favorite. To think of it collapsing in such a way feels almost unthinkable.
Emergency crews worked for hours to rescue victims from the wreckage, and by nightfall, all had been pulled from the debris. The authorities confirmed the provisional toll of 15 lives lost, though the final number of victims may still change as investigations continue. Foreign nationals are believed to be among those killed, but their identities have not yet been released.
The government of Portugal declared a day of national mourning, with flags lowered and tributes pouring in from across Europe. Lisbon’s mayor, Carlos Moedas, called the incident “a tragedy without precedent for our city.” The Portuguese president, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, also expressed deep sorrow, while European leaders such as Ursula von der Leyen extended condolences. From France, both government officials and Paris’s mayor Anne Hidalgo voiced solidarity with Lisbon, sharing words of support for the Portuguese people.
The exact cause of the derailment is not yet known. Carris, the company responsible for Lisbon’s trams and funiculars, insisted that all maintenance schedules had been respected—regular checks, general maintenance in 2022, and intermediate servicing in 2024. The funicular had even undergone scheduled work just a few months ago, in May 2025. Still, questions are being raised about whether technical failure, human error, or another factor was behind this disaster.
For now, Portugal is left grieving, and Lisbon is left in shock. A symbol of the city’s history and daily life has turned into the site of heartbreak. What should have been just another evening ride up the steep streets has instead become one of the darkest moments in the capital’s memory.
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