Lisbon Funicular Disaster: 15 Fatalities, 18 Injured in Portugal Derailment

A historic funicular in Lisbon, the Elevador da Gloria, derailed and crashed on Wednesday evening, resulting in at least 15 deaths and 18 injuries, with five individuals in critical condition. The incident occurred shortly after 6 pm when a cable reportedly snapped, leading to the funicular’s loss of control and subsequent collision with a nearby building. The Elevador da Gloria, a cable railway constructed in 1885, is a significant part of Lisbon’s transportation system, connecting Restauradores Square to the Bairro Alto neighborhood. Both local citizens and the city’s numerous annual tourists utilize this two-car system, which traverses steep inclines. Each tram has a capacity of 42 passengers and is operated by Carris, Lisbon’s public transport operator. Victims include Portuguese citizens and foreign nationals; however, specific nationalities are still being determined. There were no children among the deceased. Casualties included passengers aboard the derailed car and pedestrians in the vicinity. By 8:30 pm, all injured individuals had been transported to local hospitals. Six people, including a child and one individual with severe injuries, were admitted to Santa Maria Hospital, while nine others, five in critical condition, were taken to São Jose Hospital. Lisbon’s Mayor Carlos Moedas expressed his sorrow, describing the event as a ‘tragic moment’ for the city and declared three days of municipal mourning for the victims.