SAEDNEWS: Portugal is in mourning after Lisbon’s iconic 140-year-old Glória funicular derailed and crashed into a building, killing 15 and injuring 18. Authorities have launched an investigation as the city grapples with one of its deadliest urban tragedies.
According to Saed News, Portugal has been plunged into grief after one of Lisbon’s most iconic landmarks, the Glória funicular, derailed and crashed into a building, killing at least 15 people and injuring 18 others. The government has declared a national day of mourning as investigators search for answers to a tragedy that stunned the nation and the world.
The crash occurred shortly after 18:15 local time on Wednesday, when the 140-year-old yellow funicular, beloved by tourists and locals alike, lost control on its steep track near Liberty Avenue. According to authorities, five of the injured remain in critical condition. Foreign nationals were among the victims, though their identities have not yet been confirmed.
Lisbon’s mayor, Carlos Moedas, called it a “tragic day for our city,” as emergency crews worked late into the evening to free passengers trapped inside the mangled carriage. Dramatic footage shared online showed the crumpled funicular lying on its side in the cobbled street, smoke rising as panicked bystanders fled the scene.
Early reports suggest that the funicular’s braking system failed, sending it hurtling down the slope before it smashed into a building with devastating force. Witnesses described the moment in chilling detail. “It hit like a cardboard box; it had no brakes,” one passenger told SIC Television. Others recalled running frantically as they feared the carriage would crash into another below.
While officials have not confirmed the cause, Portuguese newspaper Observador reported that a cable may have snapped during the descent. The Glória funicular, which can carry around 40 people, has long been considered a symbol of Lisbon’s history, having first opened in 1885 and later electrified in the early 20th century.
The city’s transport operator, Carris, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, insisting that all maintenance protocols had been followed. “Regular monthly and weekly checks were carried out, and interim maintenance was completed last year,” the company said, while also announcing an internal investigation alongside official inquiries.
Prosecutors, police, and the transport accident investigation department have all opened probes into the disaster, hoping to determine whether mechanical failure, human error, or other factors were involved.
Messages of condolence poured in from across Europe. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez sent their sympathies, with Sánchez calling the accident “terrible” and expressing solidarity with Portugal in this moment of mourning.
The Glória funicular has been a vital part of Lisbon’s identity for more than a century. The two-car system, powered by electric motors and connected by a haulage cable, has carried millions of passengers up and down Lisbon’s steep streets. Its short journey from Restauradores Square to Bairro Alto, taking just three minutes, has long been a favorite among tourists.
Now, instead of admiration, Lisbon’s historic landmark is at the center of sorrow. As the investigation continues, residents and visitors alike are left grappling with how a beloved symbol of the city could transform so suddenly into the site of one of Portugal’s deadliest urban tragedies.
