Crash of the historic Elevador da Gloria funicular is one among Lisbon’s deadliest transport accidents in years.
Printed On 3 Sep 2025
A minimum of 15 individuals have been killed and 18 injured when Lisbon’s Elevador da Gloria funicular derailed and crashed, emergency providers in Portugal say.
Officers haven’t launched the victims’ identities or nationalities however stated a few of these killed had been overseas nationals. “It’s a tragic day for our metropolis. … Lisbon is in mourning. It’s a tragic, tragic incident,” Mayor Carlos Moedas advised reporters on the scene on Wednesday night.
Footage from the crash web site confirmed the yellow tram-like carriage mendacity mangled towards a constructing as firefighters pulled passengers from the wreckage. Emergency crews labored into the night time to clear particles from the steep hillside railway, a well-liked attraction in Portugal’s capital.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed condolences, calling the incident “a tragedy” and urging authorities to swiftly decide the trigger.
Lisbon’s Firefighters Regiment stated a free cable precipitated the funicular to lose management and slam right into a constructing. The accident occurred simply after 6pm (17:00 GMT) throughout rush hour, in keeping with native media.
The Elevador da Gloria, which first opened in 1885, hyperlinks the Baixa district with the Bairro Alto neighbourhood, providing sweeping views of town. Operated by Lisbon’s public transport firm Carris, it’s one among three historic funicular strains and serves each residents and vacationers.
Pictures circulating on-line confirmed one automobile flipped beside the rails and surrounded by particles whereas passengers scrambled to security. Video footage aired by CNN Portugal captured one other automobile jolting violently on the monitor with panicked passengers leaping from home windows.
The funicular operates on a counterweight system with two automobiles linked by a cable and powered by electrical motors. Whereas the decrease automobile appeared largely intact, the higher carriage sustained vital harm.
Lisbon has seen a surge in tourism lately, and summer season attracts giant numbers of tourists to its slim streets and historic districts. The Elevador da Gloria is among the many metropolis’s finest recognized sights, and Wednesday’s crash is one among Portugal’s deadliest transport accidents in latest reminiscence.
