In a heartbreaking incident on 3 September 2024, a funicular railway car in Lisbon crashed, resulting in at least 16 fatalities and injuring 22 others. The popular Ascensor da Glória, known for transporting both tourists and locals, derailed while navigating a steep hillside, leading to widespread mourning in the Portuguese capital.
The Incident
Witnesses recounted horrific scenes as the yellow tram-like carriage lost control and hurtled into a building. Abel Esteves, a local resident, described the moment the carriage gained speed, saying, “I told my wife: ‘We’re all going to die here.'” Despite the rapid descent, the lower car, carrying around 40 passengers, remained undamaged.
Victims Identified
- Five Portuguese nationals
- Two South Koreans
- One Swiss national
- One US citizen
- Potentially two Canadians, one Ukrainian, and one German
The municipal transport company, Carris, confirmed all maintenance protocols had been observed, and investigations are underway to ascertain the cause of the cable failure that led to the accident.
Official Response
The government has declared a national day of mourning, with Prime Minister Luis Montenegro expressing his condolences. “This is one of the greatest human tragedies in our recent history,” he stated. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa also shared his sorrow, hoping for a swift conclusion to the investigation.
Impact on Tourism
Lisbon’s funiculars are vital to the city’s transport network, with the Gloria line serving around three million people annually. Local officials acknowledged that the city has seen a tourism boom in recent years, making the incident even more poignant.
Flags flew at half-staff and flowers were laid at the crash site as mourners paid their respects to the victims, further emphasising the city’s sense of loss.