A devastating accident in Lisbon on Wednesday evening has left Portugal in shock. The derailment of the city’s famous Glória funicular, a key tourist attraction and transport link, killed 15 people and injured 18 others, according to emergency services. Officials have described it as one of the worst tragedies in Lisbon’s modern history.

The government declared a day of national mourning as rescue teams worked through the night and investigators began examining the cause of the disaster.

How the Accident Happened

The crash occurred around 6 p.m. local time on Rua da Glória, a steep street in central Lisbon. The Glória funicular, a bright yellow tram-like vehicle that connects Restauradores Square to the Bairro Alto district, suddenly sped out of control while descending.

Witnesses said the funicular appeared to lose its brakes. It raced downhill during the busy evening rush before crashing into a bend and slamming violently into a nearby building.

“It hit the building with brutal force and fell apart like a cardboard box…” said witness Teresa d’Avó, speaking to SIC television. She described scenes of chaos as passersby ran into Avenida da Liberdade to escape.

Photographs and videos from the scene showed the mangled wreckage lying on its side. Emergency workers fought to free trapped passengers while treating the injured on stretchers.

Rescue Challenges and Victims

Rescue efforts were complicated by the narrow streets around Rua da Glória. Firefighters, paramedics, and police used heavy equipment to stabilize the wreckage and search for survivors.

The National Institute for Medical Emergencies (INEM) confirmed that five of the injured were in critical condition, including one child. Officials later clarified that no children were among the dead.

The victims included both locals and foreign tourists. Portuguese authorities have not released their identities, but Spain confirmed that two of its citizens were injured. Britain’s Foreign Office said it was in contact with local authorities and ready to assist affected nationals.

Possible Cause of the Crash

Investigators have not confirmed the exact cause. However, local media suggested a possible failure of the haulage cable that connects the two funicular cars.

According to Observador, the cable may have detached, causing one car to plummet while the other jolted violently. Witnesses in the undamaged car at the bottom of the line reported a sudden violent movement at the time of the crash.

Video aired by CNN Portugal showed passengers jumping from windows in panic as bystanders screamed.

The operator, Carris, stated that all maintenance checks were up to date and that major maintenance was completed in 2022. However, reports in El País said workers had repeatedly warned about “poor maintenance” in recent years, raising questions about oversight.

Following the crash, Lisbon City Council suspended operations of all other funiculars, including the Bica and Lavra lines, pending urgent safety inspections.

City and International Response

Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas, visibly shaken, called it “a tragedy of the like we’ve never seen.” He announced that city flags would fly at half-mast.

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa offered condolences to victims’ families and urged patience as investigators uncover the truth.

European leaders also expressed their sympathies.

• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X, “It is with sadness that I learned of the derailment of the famous Elevador da Glória.”

• Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said he was “appalled by the terrible accident.”

• Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani expressed solidarity with Portugal after speaking with his counterpart.

The US Embassy in Lisbon also shared its condolences on social media.

History of the Glória Funicular

The Elevador da Glória has been part of Lisbon’s heritage for nearly 140 years. Opened in 1885 and electrified in the early 20th century, it connects downtown Lisbon to Bairro Alto, an area known for nightlife and historic streets.

The line stretches 275 meters with a steep incline of 17.7%. Each ride takes about three minutes, carrying up to 40 passengers per car. Together, the two cars transport nearly three million passengers each year.

The funicular is officially recognized as a national monument and is one of Lisbon’s most photographed attractions.

Tourism Impact

The accident comes at a time when Lisbon’s tourism is thriving. In 2024, the city welcomed 8.5 million visitors. The Glória funicular plays a vital role in this booming industry, linking popular areas like Restauradores Square and Bairro Alto.

Britain is Portugal’s largest source of tourists, followed by Germany, Spain, and the United States. Officials have not confirmed whether any British nationals were among the victims.

Past Safety Issues

While Wednesday’s disaster was unprecedented, there have been minor incidents before. In May 2018, a car derailed due to wheel maintenance problems, but no one was hurt.

Investigators are now looking into whether long-standing safety concerns were ignored.

What Remains Unknown

Several details remain unclear:

• The exact sequence of events before the derailment.

• Whether the cable failure theory is accurate.

• The full identities of the victims.

• Whether maintenance warnings were properly addressed.

Authorities have urged the public not to speculate until the investigation concludes.