Lisbon Funicular Derailment Leaves At Least 15 Dead,Dozens Injured
A tragic accident involving the historic Glória funicular in Lisbon has resulted in the deaths of at least 15 people and injuries to 18 others,five of whom are in serious condition. Emergency services confirmed all victims have been recovered from the wreckage. The passengers included foreign nationals, tho their specific nationalities are currently unkown.
The incident occured around 6:05 PM local time as the funicular was descending a steep slope connecting Rossio Square with the Bairro Alto and Príncipe real neighborhoods.Witnesses reported the vehicle appeared to be traveling at excessive speed and unable to stop before crashing into a building. One witness described the funicular collapsing “like a cardboard box,” suggesting a brake failure.
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed his “deep regret” and offered condolences to the families of the victims. prime Minister Luís montenegro has declared a national day of mourning for Thursday, calling the accident a “tragic loss of human lives.” lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas described the event as ”a tragedy that had never happened in our city” and announced a full examination into the cause.
The funicular, a symbol of Lisbon and a popular mode of transport for both tourists and residents, sustained meaningful damage, with a deformed structure and shattered windows. It has a capacity of approximately 40 passengers.
Initial investigations are focusing on a potential failure in the braking system, though authorities caution that a definitive cause will require expert technical analysis. The Glória funicular, dating back to 1885 and operating on electricity sence 1915, is maintained by the public transport company Carris and undergoes regular inspections, including extensive maintenance every four years, raising questions about how such a severe accident could occur.
As a designated national monument since 2002, the funicular holds significant cultural importance for Lisbon. The accident is thus felt as a blow to the cityS identity.
Authorities are advising tourists and residents to avoid the area and have increased security measures on other similar transport systems. Emergency services remain on scene, and the casualty count may be updated in the coming hours. The incident serves as a moment to reassess the safety of Lisbon’s historic infrastructure,according to officials.
