Lisbon, September 4: At least 15 people have died and 18 others were injured after the Gloria funicular railway, one of Lisbon’s historic tourist attractions, derailed on Wednesday, authorities confirmed. Five of the injured are in critical condition.
The accident occurred on the steep hillside line connecting Restauradores Square in downtown Lisbon with the Bairro Alto district, known for its lively nightlife. Footage from the scene showed the yellow tram-like car overturned, with emergency workers pulling passengers from the wreckage.
Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas called it “a tragic day for our city,” while Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed hope that investigators would quickly determine the cause. Portugal’s government has declared a day of national mourning on Thursday.
The Gloria line, opened in 1885, is one of three funicular lines operated by the municipal transport company Carris and carries around 3 million passengers annually. Each car accommodates about 40 people, and Carris stated that all standard maintenance protocols, including daily, weekly, and monthly inspections, had been carried out.
Police and prosecutors have launched a formal investigation into the incident. Some of the victims are believed to be foreign nationals. The British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed it is coordinating with local authorities to provide consular assistance to any affected UK citizens.
Lisbon has seen a surge in tourism over the past decade, with visitors from Britain, Germany, Spain, and the United States frequenting its historic downtown.
