Tragedy Strikes Lisbon’s Gloria Funicular Railway as Car Derails, Leading to Multiple Fatalities

Panic ensued on Lisbon's Gloria funicular railway when passengers reportedly began to scream in terror moments before a car derailed and crashed. The horrific incident took place around 6 PM, leading to the deaths of at least 15 people and injuring approximately 18 others as the car came off the tracks.

Video footage captured the aftermath, showing the tram-like structure devastated, with emergency responders working to extract individuals trapped beneath the debris. While the exact cause of the derailment remains unclear, local news outlets indicated that the first of the two linked funicular cars jolted violently, crashing down onto a pavement with significant force. Following this, the second car lost control and collided with a nearby building.

An eyewitness recounted how the initial car had been descending steadily when it unexpectedly slammed into the sidewalk, resulting in panic among the passengers onboard. This person attempted to assist those affected in the first car but then witnessed the second car approaching uncontrollably from above before it crashed. Another witness described hearing a tremendous bang that preceded the destruction of the car, punctuated by screams from those involved in the incident.

Portugal's president, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, conveyed his hope that investigations would promptly uncover the reason behind the crash. Officials have refrained from naming the victims or confirming their nationalities; however, they acknowledged that some foreign individuals were included among the casualties. Ursula von de Leyen, the president of the European Commission, also expressed her sorrow regarding the derailment, extending her sympathies to the victims' families.

The Gloria funicular has been facilitating transportation in Lisbon since its inauguration in 1885, linking the downtown area near Restauradores Square to the vibrant Bairro Alto neighborhood. The municipal transport operator, Carris, stated that all maintenance procedures were duly followed, including regular inspections and maintenance schedules.