Emergency services reported that an additional eighteen individuals sustained injuries following the derailment and crash of the well-known Gloria funicular.
A spokesperson for emergency medical services confirmed that a minimum of 15 people lost their lives and 18 others were wounded after one of the cars of Lisbon’s Gloria funicular railway derailed and subsequently crashed on Wednesday.
Media outlets indicated that the incident took place approximately at 6 PM, coinciding with the beginning of the evening rush hour.
Carris, the public transport operator responsible for the funicular, stated that it “promptly alerted emergency and security personnel” but provided no further details regarding the potential causes of the accident.
On-site video evidence depicted the tram-style funicular, a favorite with visitors, largely demolished, with emergency responders visible extracting individuals from the debris.
🇵🇹 Three fatalities reported following funicular derailment in Lisbon
In Lisbon, a car from the Gloria funicular separated from its cable and collided with a structure at high velocity, resulting in 3 deaths and approximately 20 injuries.
The Elevador da Glória stands as one of Lisbon’s most frequented tourist sites.
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24)
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa issued a statement conveying his “profound sorrow over this afternoon’s accident involving the Gloria Elevator in Lisbon, particularly concerning the deceased and critically wounded, as well as numerous minor injuries.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen likewise extended her sympathies to the victims’ families through a statement, written in Portuguese, and posted on X.
Operational since 1885, the line links Lisbon’s central district, adjacent to Restauradores Square, with the Bairro Alto (Upper Quarter). Reports indicate that the funicular carries over three million commuters annually.
Its two carriages are affixed to opposing extremities of a traction cable, driven by electric motors.
While the funicular car located at the lower end of the track was apparently unaffected, CNN Portugal reported that passengers were forced to exit through windows during the occurrence.