Portugal is in mourning after a tragic accident involving the historic Gloria funicular in central Lisbon. The derailment killed 15 people and left at least 18 others injured, including foreign nationals. Authorities confirmed that five of the injured remain in critical condition.
The crash occurred on Wednesday evening around 18:05 near Avenida da Liberdade. According to officials, the bright yellow cable car lost control and slammed into a nearby building. Emergency teams rushed to the site, rescuing several passengers who had been trapped in the wreckage.
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa offered his condolences, expressing “sympathy and solidarity” with the victims’ families. Prime Minister António Costa’s government has declared a national day of mourning.
Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas visited survivors in the hospital, describing the tragedy as a painful moment for the city. He will also attend a special cabinet session to review the incident.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as the carriage overturned and smoke filled the area. Videos shared on social media showed the funicular’s mangled structure. Witnesses said the vehicle appeared to be “out of control, without brakes,” before it violently crashed into a building.
The Gloria funicular, a symbol of Lisbon since its opening in 1885, is operated by Carris, the city’s public transport company. Carris confirmed the system had passed mandatory maintenance and routine checks. However, early investigations suggest a brake failure, possibly linked to a loose cable, may have caused the disaster.
The national transport safety authority, criminal police, and Carris are jointly leading the investigation. European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, expressed condolences over the tragic event.
The Gloria funicular connects Restauradores Square to Bairro Alto across a steep 275-meter track. It remains one of Portugal’s most iconic tourist attractions. Its sudden derailment has shocked locals and tourists alike during the busy holiday season.
Authorities have not confirmed how many passengers were on board at the time. The full investigation could take weeks as experts examine the cable and brake systems. For now, Portugal grieves as the country faces one of Lisbon’s deadliest transport tragedies in decades.
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