Tragic Crash of Lisbon’s Gloria Funicular Claims Three Lives

Three people lost their lives and at least 20 others sustained injuries when the historic Gloria Funicular in Lisbon derailed on the evening of March 1, 2024. The incident occurred around 18:05 local time as one of the two cars, secured to a haulage cable, fell from a significant height. Emergency services, including police, paramedics, and firefighters, quickly arrived on the scene to assist those trapped in the wreckage.

Eyewitness accounts describe scenes of chaos as bystanders gathered around one of the derailed cars, which was engulfed in smoke. Footage from the area shows a twisted mass of metal, indicating the severity of the crash. A witness, Teresa d’Avo, reported to Portuguese television channel SIC, “It crashed into a building with brutal force and fell apart like a cardboard box. It crashed with tremendous force. It didn’t have any kind of brakes.”

The local police, as reported by the Portuguese press, confirmed that three individuals have died as a result of the accident, although this figure has yet to be officially verified. In addition to the fatalities, reports indicate that several others remain trapped within the debris of the funicular.

Details of the Incident

The derailment took place on the Gloria Funicular railway line, one of three such railways in Lisbon that are popular with both tourists and locals. This funicular connects the lower regions of the city, specifically Praça dos Restauradores, to the São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint in the Bairro Alto district. Opened in 1885, it was the second funicular railway to be established in Lisbon, and while it was electrified in 1915, it has preserved much of its original charm.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the derailment, with preliminary reports suggesting that one of the cables may have come loose prior to the incident. Such a failure would explain the drastic and sudden nature of the crash, which witnesses have described as lacking any braking mechanism.

Rescue Operations Underway

Emergency responders have launched a comprehensive rescue operation to extricate individuals trapped in the wreckage. The scene remains chaotic, with teams working diligently to assess the situation and provide medical assistance to the injured. The local government has expressed condolences to the victims’ families and pledged to support the ongoing rescue efforts.

As the situation develops, authorities are urging the public to avoid the area to allow emergency services to operate effectively. The Gloria Funicular, a beloved aspect of Lisbon’s transport system and culture, now faces scrutiny as investigations continue into this tragic event.