At least 15 people are dead and 18 injured after Lisbon’s historic Gloria funicular derailed and crashed on Wednesday evening, in one of the city’s worst transport accidents in recent years.
Picture: Getty Images via Cape (town) Etc
The incident occurred at approximately 6:05pm local time, with the bright yellow carriage overturning and sustaining significant damage.
The funicular, a popular mode of transport navigating Lisbon’s steep slopes, derailed under circumstances that are still being determined, BBC reported.
Local authorities confirmed that five of the injured are in serious condition, while the remaining 13, including a child, sustained minor injuries. Some of the victims are reported to be foreign nationals, including a German family.
More than 60 emergency service personnel and 22 vehicles were dispatched to the scene. Lisbon’s mayor, Carlos Moedas, confirmed that victims were transported to hospitals and announced three days of municipal mourning.
Several trapped individuals were freed by rescue teams. The exact number of passengers on board at the time remains unclear, though the funicular has a capacity of 43 people.
While the official cause is yet to be confirmed, the Portuguese newspaper Observador suggested that a loose haulage cable may have led to the derailment. Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the exact sequence of events.
Pedro Bogas of Carris, the Lisbon Tramways Company, stated that the company has ‘strict protocols’ and expressed commitment to understanding the failure.
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed deep regret and extended condolences to affected families. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also offered messages of solidarity.
Lisbon’s mayor described the city as ‘in mourning,’ underscoring the emotional impact of the incident on the community.
The Gloria funicular, inaugurated in 1885 and electrified in 1915, is a beloved transport link covering 275 metres between Restauradores Square and the Bairro Alto district.
Unlike traditional funiculars, it uses electric motors and a cable system allowing simultaneous ascent and descent of two carriages. It is both a functional transport option and a major tourist attraction.
Article shared by Cape Town ETC
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