Tragedy struck Lisbon on Wednesday evening when a carriage on the city’s iconic Gloria funicular derailed, killing at least 15 people and injuring 18 others, authorities confirmed. Emergency medical services reported that five of the injured are in serious condition, while the remaining 13, including a child, suffered minor injuries.
The crash occurred near Avenida da Liberdade around 6:05pm, with several people initially trapped at the scene. All have since been rescued. Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed his “sympathy and solidarity with the families affected by this tragedy,” while Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas declared the city “in mourning” over what he called a “tragic moment for the capital.” Authorities confirmed that some of the deceased were foreign nationals, though exact identities are not yet known.
Social media footage showed the bright yellow funicular carriage overturned and almost completely destroyed, with smoke filling the surrounding streets and people fleeing on foot. Witnesses described the carriage as “out of control, without brakes,” hurtling down the steep street before colliding with a building. One witness told local media: “It hit the building with brutal force and collapsed like a cardboard box.”
Early reports suggest a cable along the railway route may have come loose, causing the carriage to lose control. Carris, the transport company operating the funicular, confirmed an investigation is underway, stating that “all maintenance protocols” had been followed.
The Gloria funicular, one of Lisbon’s oldest and most famous attractions, has been in operation since 1885 and was electrified three decades later. The system consists of two cars attached to opposite ends of a haulage cable, allowing them to ascend and descend steep streets simultaneously. The funicular runs 275 meters (900 feet) from Restauradores square to the picturesque Bairro Alto neighborhood, taking just three minutes.
The funicular is both a vital part of daily life for Lisbon residents and a major tourist attraction, making this crash a shocking event for locals and visitors alike. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez both extended condolences, describing the accident as “terrible” and “appalling.”
The cause of the derailment is still under investigation, as authorities work to piece together how one of Lisbon’s most beloved landmarks ended in such a catastrophic accident.
