Tragic Lisbon Funicular Accident Kills Several, Injures Others
Lisbon – At least three people have died and five others were seriously injured in a devastating accident involving the city’s iconic Gloria funicular. Authorities have not released the identities or nationalities of the victims but confirmed that some foreign nationals were among the dead.
“It’s a tragic day for our city. Lisbon is in mourning; it is a tragic, tragic incident,” Mayor Carlos Moedas told reporters. In response, Portugal’s government declared a day of national mourning on Thursday.
Footage from the scene showed the yellow tram-like funicular overturned on the steep hillside it travels, with emergency workers pulling survivors from the wreckage.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed his sorrow over the accident, saying he hoped authorities would quickly determine the cause. Police investigators are inspecting the site, and the prosecutor general’s office has launched a formal investigation, following standard procedures for public transport accidents.
The Gloria funicular, which first opened in 1885, connects Lisbon’s downtown near Restauradores Square to Bairro Alto, a neighborhood renowned for its nightlife. It is one of three funicular lines operated by Carris, the city’s public transport company, and serves both locals and tourists.
Carris said all maintenance protocols, including monthly, weekly, and daily inspections, had been carried out. The line transports around three million passengers each year. Each of its two cars can carry approximately 40 people and is connected by a haulage cable, powered by electric motors.
Videos shared by bystanders showed the car at the bottom of the line jolting violently as the other car derailed, with several passengers reportedly jumping from its windows amid screams.
Lisbon has seen a surge in tourism over the past decade, especially in the downtown area during the summer months.
A spokesperson for Britain’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office said they were in contact with local authorities and ready to provide consular assistance to any affected British nationals. The U.K. is the largest source of tourists to Portugal, followed by Germany, Spain, and the United States. The U.S. State Department has not yet commented.
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