A devastating accident struck Lisbon’s iconic Gloria Funicular on Wednesday evening, resulting in the deaths of at least three people and injuries to approximately 20 others, according to emergency services. The historic funicular, a beloved attraction for tourists and locals alike, derailed and crashed near Avenida da Liberdade around 6:05 PM local time, during the start of the evening rush hour.
Footage from the scene revealed the yellow-and-white funicular, which connects downtown Lisbon’s Restauradores Square to the vibrant Bairro Alto district, was almost completely destroyed. Emergency workers were seen pulling passengers from the wreckage, with reports indicating that several individuals were trapped at the scene. Nine of the injured are in serious condition, with some suffering open fractures, according to local media. A child was among those hospitalized, with three victims treated at Hospital de Santa Maria and seven at Sao Jose Hospital, five of whom are in critical condition.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, though Portuguese newspaper *Observador* reported that a loose cable along the railway’s route may have caused the carriage to lose control and collide with a nearby building. Witness Teresa d’Avo told SIC NotĂcias, “It crashed into a building with brutal force and fell apart like a cardboard box. It didn’t have any kind of brakes.” Fernando Nunes da Silva, a former Lisbon City Council member and engineering specialist, suggested that a broken traction cable combined with a failure of the braking system could be to blame.
Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed his condolences, stating, “The President of the Republic deeply regrets the accident… and offers his condolences and solidarity to the families affected by this tragedy.” Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas was present at the scene, where 62 emergency service workers and 22 vehicles were deployed, according to Portugal’s Civil Protection Authority.
The Gloria Funicular, operational since 1885, is a national monument and a key part of Lisbon’s public transport network, managed by Carris. The line, which carries over 40 passengers per trip, is a popular way to navigate the city’s steep hills, especially for the 8.5 million tourists who visited Lisbon last year. Authorities are working to determine the exact cause of the tragedy, with further updates expected as the investigation progresses.
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