Lisbon's Elevador da Glória Funicular Derails, Killing 17 and Injuring 21
A tragic accident in Lisbon's historic Elevador da Glória funicular resulted in 17 fatalities and 21 injuries, prompting national mourning and an ongoing investigation.
On Wednesday evening, Lisbon's historic Elevador da Glória funicular derailed and crashed into a building, resulting in 17 fatalities and 21 injuries. The accident occurred around 6:00 PM local time as the funicular descended the steep 265-meter incline connecting the city's downtown area near Restauradores Square with the Bairro Alto district.
Among the injured were several foreign nationals from countries including Germany, Spain, South Korea, Canada, and others. The identities of the deceased have not yet been released.
Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas expressed the city's grief, stating,
The Portuguese government declared Thursday a national day of mourning, with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa offering condolences to the victims' families.
The cause of the derailment is under investigation. Initial reports suggest a possible cable failure, but authorities have not confirmed this. The operator, Carris, stated that regular maintenance, including daily checks, had been conducted as required.
In response to the incident, the city has suspended operations of the remaining funicular lines for safety inspections. The Elevador da Glória, inaugurated in 1885 and declared a national monument in 1997, is a significant tourist attraction, carrying millions of passengers annually.