Lisbon Funicular Derailment Death toll Rises to 17, Nation Mourns
Lisbon, Portugal - National mourning has begun in Lisbon following a tragic funicular derailment that has claimed the lives of 17 people, authorities confirmed today. The accident occurred yesterday evening at approximately 10:40 pm on the “gloria” funicular, a historic transport system popular with tourists and locals alike.
The funicular, built in 1885 and electrified in 1915, operates with two wagons traveling up and down a steep 48-meter incline using a counterweight system, with a capacity of around forty passengers – including standing room.”It is a tragedy that had never happened in our city,” stated Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas.
Carris, the company managing Lisbon’s transport network, stated that all scheduled maintenance protocols were followed, including a general maintenance check in 2022 and an intermediate maintenance check in 2024. However, Carris Chairman Pedro Bogas revealed that maintenance of the funicular had been outsourced to an external service provider for the past 14 years.
“Monthly, weekly and daily inspection programs have been scrupulously respected,” Carris said in a statement, adding that a joint investigation with authorities is underway to determine the cause of the accident. the funicular was also immobilized for three days in May for maintenance.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the derailment.
