A devastating accident in Lisbon resulted in the deaths of 17 individuals and left 21 others injured when a funicular tram derailed and crashed into a building. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening, causing chaos as witnesses cried out at the sight of children being trapped under the wreckage.
The Gloria Funicular, a renowned tourist attraction in the Portuguese capital, careened down a hill, colliding with a structure and breaking apart. An official inquiry has been initiated by the Portuguese public prosecutor’s office to determine the cause of the tragic collision, which claimed the lives of both locals and tourists, including a German father who perished at the scene.
Operating since 1885, the Glória Funicular transports millions of passengers annually between Restauradores Square and the Bairro Alto neighborhood, covering a distance of 260 meters. The fatal crash occurred near Restauradores Square when the tram veered off course and slammed into a building during a sharp turn on Calçada da Glória.
Reports indicate that one of the tram cars detached from its track, leading to the catastrophic accident. Investigations by the national transport safety authority and the funicular service operator are ongoing to ascertain the exact cause of the tragedy. Concerns have been raised about maintenance practices, with claims of irregular upkeep despite routine checks every four years.
The yellow-and-white streetcar, known as Elevador da Gloria, operates using an interconnected system where one car’s descent lifts the other uphill. These trams run daily, shuttling passengers every 10 to 15 minutes, powered by electric motors. The community mourns the loss of life and awaits further details from the investigative authorities to understand the full scope of the incident.