Lisbon Funicular Crash Attributed to Substandard Cable

A preliminary report by Portugal's Office for Air and Rail Accident Prevention and Investigation (GPIAAF) has determined that the cable connecting the two carriages of Lisbon's Gloria funicular did not meet the required specifications set by the city's transport operator. The report states, "The cable did not comply with the specifications in force at the CCFL to be used for the Gloria tram."

The accident occurred on September 3, 2025, when the cable snapped, causing the upper carriage to descend uncontrollably down the steep incline and collide with a building. This incident resulted in 16 fatalities and 21 injuries.

The Gloria funicular, inaugurated in 1885 and electrified in 1915, is a significant tourist attraction in Lisbon, transporting approximately three million passengers annually between the downtown area and Bairro Alto.

In response to the findings, Lisbon's city council has assembled a team of experts, including members from Carris (the municipal public transport company), academia, and engineering organizations, to design a new safety mechanism for the funicular. The council has granted this team the authority to determine when the funicular can safely resume operations.

The Gloria funicular will remain closed until the new safety measures are implemented and the system is deemed secure for public use.