Earlier today, tragedy struck in Lisbon when the Glória (Elevador da Glória) funicular railway derailed during the evening rush-hour, resulting in the deaths of at least 17 people and injuring about 21 others, five of them critically.
The accident occurred at approximately 6 p.m. local time on the city’s historic line that links Praça dos Restauradores to the Bairro Alto neighborhood—a steep and iconic tourist artery operated by the municipal company Carris and originally opened in 1885.
According to Reuters, “footage from the site showed the tram-like funicular, which carries people up and down a hillside in the Portuguese capital, destroyed, and emergency workers pulling people out of the wreckage.”
Reports indicate that the lower car remained intact, while the upper or descending car derailed and crashed violently. Passengers in that car were reportedly forced to jump from the windows escape as the accident unfolded.
The official cause of the derailment remains under investigation. However, initial accounts suggest a cable failure, possibly a snapped or loosened cable, may have triggered the crash, causing the car to plummet and collide with a nearby building.
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa publicly expressed his deep sorrow and extended condolences to the victims and their families. He also emphasized the urgency that investigators swiftly determine the cause of this tragic accident.
Meanwhile, Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas is overseeing rescue efforts on site, coordinating between emergency teams and authorities.
Historically, the Glória funicular has been regarded as both a tourist attraction and a practical urban transport link. It is classified as a national monument and carries around 8.5 million tourists annually.
The railway operates with two cars attached by a haulage cable and powered by electric motors, each car acting as a counterweight for the other.
Notably, this is not the first incident involving this line. In May 2018, there was a derailment due to wheel maintenance problems but that accident resulted in no injuries, though it raised concerns regarding maintenance standards.
As of now, rescue teams continue to assist the injured, several of whom are in severe condition, while authorities work to manage the aftermath and begin a thorough technical investigation.
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For anyone interested, there’s a funicular in downtown Los Angeles. It’s called the Angels flight:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angels_Flight