Lisbon is in shock after a tragic accident involving the historic Gloria funicular left 15 people dead and at least 18 others injured. Authorities confirmed that five of the injured are in critical condition, with several foreign nationals among the victims. The derailment happened on Wednesday evening near Avenida da Liberdade, when the bright yellow cable car lost control and crashed into a building.
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed deep sympathy and solidarity with the victims’ families, while Prime Minister António Costa declared a national day of mourning. Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas visited survivors in hospital, calling the crash a heartbreaking moment for the city. A special cabinet session will be held to discuss the incident and its aftermath.
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Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as the funicular raced downhill out of control. Social media videos showed the carriage overturned and mangled, with smoke and panic filling the area. Witnesses said the vehicle appeared to have lost its brakes before slamming into a building with devastating force. Rescue workers had to pull trapped passengers from the wreckage.
The Gloria funicular, in service since 1885, is one of Lisbon’s most famous tourist landmarks and connects Restauradores Square with the Bairro Alto neighborhood along a steep track. It is operated by the public transport company Carris, which said the vehicle had passed its required maintenance checks and daily inspections. However, early investigations suggest a possible cable failure led to the braking system malfunctioning, sending the carriage crashing downhill.
European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, expressed condolences over the deadly derailment. The sudden loss of lives has shocked Lisbon residents and visitors at the height of the tourist season.
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Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact number of passengers on board at the time of the crash. Investigations by the national transport safety authority, police, and Carris are underway, focusing on the cable and braking systems.
For now, Lisbon mourns the victims of one of the deadliest accidents in its recent history, as questions grow over how a beloved symbol of the city turned into the site of such a devastating tragedy.
