Lisbon Mourns After Iconic Gloria Funicular Derails, Killing 15

A City Shaken by Tragedy

Lisbon is reeling after a horrific accident that claimed at least 15 lives when the city’s famed Gloria funicular derailed on Wednesday evening. The bright yellow tram, one of the capital’s most beloved symbols, sped out of control down a steep stretch of tracks near Liberty Avenue before crashing into a building.

Rescue teams confirmed that 18 more passengers were injured, some seriously, in what Mayor Carlos Moedas described as “a tragedy that our city has never seen.” Among the dead were foreign nationals visiting one of Lisbon’s most photographed landmarks.

The Gloria: From Tourist Treasure to Disaster

For locals and visitors alike, the Gloria funicular has long been a postcard image of Lisbon. First launched in 1885 and electrified in 1915, it is not only a vital mode of transport up the city’s steep streets but also a cultural icon, etched on magnets, mugs and murals.

On the day of the accident, the car was carrying passengers on its usual steep incline. Witnesses told Portuguese broadcaster SIC that the funicular appeared to be moving “at full speed” with no brakes before it smashed into a building. “It collapsed like a cardboard box,” one woman recalled, still shaken.

A Nation in Mourning

Authorities have declared Thursday a national day of mourning, as flags fly at half-mast across Portugal. Prime Minister Luis Montenegro’s office released a statement calling the incident one that “has brought grief to families and dismay to the country.”

Across Europe, messages of solidarity poured in. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen shared condolences on X, writing of her sadness at the derailment. On social media, Portuguese citizens posted tributes alongside old photos of the Gloria funicular, a reminder of how ingrained it is in Lisbon’s cultural life.

Questions Over Safety

The operator of the city’s funiculars, Lisbon Carris, insisted that “all maintenance protocols” had been followed. Pedro Bogas, head of the transport authority, told reporters that inspections were carried out regularly, with the last major maintenance completed in 2022 and an intermediate check in 2024.

Still, the scale of the tragedy has prompted prosecutors to open a formal investigation. Emergency workers remained on the scene late into the night, surrounding the derailed funicular as investigators worked to establish what went wrong.

Relief, Luck, and Loss

For some tourists, survival came down to chance. Spanish visitor Antonio Javier said he and his family of four had considered riding the funicular that evening but walked away after seeing the long queue. “We’re a little relieved,” he admitted quietly, acknowledging the lives that were lost instead.

As Portugal mourns, the tragedy has left scars on both locals and the millions of tourists who hold memories of the Gloria funicular. What was once a joyful ride through Lisbon’s hillside streets is now a painful symbol of loss and a reminder that even the most timeless icons can meet fragile ends.

Source:EWN 

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