At least 15 people are dead – some of them tourists – after one of Lisbon’s most famous tourist attractions, the Gloria funicular, derailed and overturned on Wednesday.
Several more passengers were injured, three of them in critical condition, according to police sources cited by CNN.
The accident prompted a huge emergency response, with 56 police and rescue workers deployed alongside 22 emergency vehicles, sealing off the surrounding area.
Images from the scene show the tram-like elevator – a century-old icon that carries tourists and commuters up the steep hill between Restauradores Square and Bairro Alto – lying mangled, its roof completely crushed.
Cause under investigation
The exact cause of the accident has not been officially confirmed. The Judicial Police’s Homicide Squad has taken charge of the investigation, a move that underscores the seriousness of the incident.
Portuguese media, including Público, report that a cable break is the most likely cause. The operator of the funicular said all maintenance protocols had been followed.
This is not the first derailment in the funicular’s history. In May 2018, a maintenance issue caused a minor derailment, but no one was hurt and the car did not overturn. Wednesday’s disaster is the deadliest incident ever recorded involving the Elevador da Glória.
The funicular, which can carry up to 42 passengers, is considered one of Lisbon’s most photographed landmarks, climbing to the São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint, a hotspot for visitors.
Shock and mourning
Hundreds of onlookers – many of them tourists – gathered near the crash site, filming the wreckage on their phones as emergency teams worked.
Lisbon’s Mayor, Carlos Moedas, called it a ‘tragic day’ for the city.
Portugal’s President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, said he ‘deeply regrets the accident’ and extended his condolences and solidarity to the families of the victims. He added that he hoped the cause would be ‘quickly clarified by the competent authorities.’
