LISBON, Sept 5 — A city known for its charm, history, and steep, cobbled streets is now shrouded in grief. Lisbon is in mourning after one of its most iconic funiculars — the bright yellow Glória funicular, a historic and beloved symbol of the Portuguese capital — derailed tragically on Wednesday evening, claiming 16 lives and leaving many others injured.
The crash occurred in one of Lisbon’s busiest tourist districts. What should have been an ordinary scenic ride turned into a nightmare. The funicular, descending a steep hill, suddenly veered off track and slammed into a nearby building with devastating force. Witnesses described the scene as horrific. One local woman told SIC television that the train “collapsed like a cardboard box” upon impact.
Among the 16 victims, five were Portuguese, while the rest were foreign nationals. Authorities have so far confirmed the identities of two South Koreans, a Swiss national, and are nearly certain that two Canadians, a German, a Ukrainian, and an American are among the dead, based on documentation and reports from those searching for missing loved ones.
Emergency services reported that 15 people died at the scene. One succumbed to injuries later in the hospital. Five people remain in critical condition, and over 20 others were injured, including at least 11 foreigners from countries including Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Canada, South Korea, Morocco, and Cape Verde. A three-year-old child was among the injured, reportedly traveling with their parents, both of whom were also affected.
As authorities continue their investigations, the entire nation paused in solemn reflection. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa declared a national day of mourning to honor the victims. Flowers are now being laid at the crash site, as the people of Lisbon come together in quiet solidarity.
Mayor Carlos Moedas called the accident “a tragedy the likes of which our city has never seen,” as investigators in fluorescent vests worked beside the twisted wreckage of the funicular still lodged against a wall.
Transport operator Carris stated that all maintenance protocols had been “scrupulously respected,” with the most recent major service carried out in 2022. The funicular had been under the care of an external contractor for the past 14 years. As a precaution, Lisbon’s three remaining funiculars have been suspended pending urgent safety inspections.
The investigation remains ongoing. The question everyone is asking — how could such a trusted and iconic piece of Lisbon’s history turn into a scene of such sorrow?
For now, Lisbon mourns not just for its own, but for the tourists who came to admire its beauty — and whose lives were tragically cut short.
