Tragedy Strikes Lisbon as Funicular Derails, Claiming Lives and Shocking the Nation

Portugal has declared a day of national mourning following a tragic incident in Lisbon where at least 17 individuals lost their lives and 21 others were injured when one of the city's iconic funicular cars derailed and crashed into a building. The accident occurred on Wednesday evening, just after the evening rush hour began, prompting emergency responses from local services. An emergency services spokesperson confirmed that some of the deceased were foreign nationals, but their identities and nationalities have yet to be disclosed. The injured, among them three seriously hurt, are being treated across various hospitals in the Lisbon region. Unfortunately, the death toll rose overnight from 15 to 17 as two of the severely injured victims succumbed to their injuries in the hospital. Officials from the National Forensics Institute worked tirelessly through the night to perform autopsies on the victims. In response to this tragic event, public prosecutors have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. The funicular, known as the Elevador da Glória, transports passengers up and down a steep hill in central Lisbon in conjunction with another funicular traveling in the opposite direction. Eyewitness accounts described a chaotic scene as footage revealed the wreckage of the yellow and white vehicle, which lay on its side in a narrow street. The car appeared crumpled and had crashed into a nearby building where the road curves. Witnesses recounted the horrifying moments when the streetcar careened down the hill seemingly out of control. Teresa d’Avó, a local resident, vividly recalled how the tram hit the building with enormous force, disintegrating like a cardboard box. Another eyewitness, Bruno Pereira, reported that the car suddenly jerked off the track before plummeting down, leading to panic as bystanders realized the gravity of the situation. Amidst the panic, many rushed to help those trapped under the wreckage, with debris scattered across the street. In the immediate aftermath of this tragedy, Lisbon's Mayor, Carlos Moedas, stated that the city was in mourning, emphasizing, "This is a tragedy that has never happened before in our city. Now is the time for action and help." The Portuguese government declared Thursday a day of national mourning, affirming that the disaster has caused profound grief among families and the broader community. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed his condolences and urged that the cause of the crash be swiftly identified. The Glória line, which is frequented by nearly 3 million passengers annually, is one of three funicular lines operated by the municipal public transport company, Carris. It is a vital connection for both residents and tourists visiting the popular downtown area. The vehicles, each capable of holding around 40 passengers, operate on a haulage cable powered by electric motors. Carris assured the public that all maintenance protocols were diligently followed, including monthly inspections. Following the accident, Lisbon's city council ordered a suspension of operations for other streetcars and immediate safety inspections of the entire fleet. Condolences have poured in from various European leaders, including Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who expressed his sorrow over the incident and conveyed support for the victims' families. Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also reached out to express their solidarity with the affected families. Amid an ongoing tourism boom in Portugal and especially Lisbon, which has attracted millions of visitors over the past decade, this catastrophic incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with urban transportation systems. Authorities and community leaders are now focused on determining the cause of the crash while supporting those in mourning. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2