Lisbon has been shaken by tragedy after a historic funicular derailed, killing 15 and injuring 23 others. The Gloria carriage crashed into a building on September 3, trapping passengers in the wreckage as horrified onlookers shouted, “There are kids under the tram!”
Emergency crews worked for hours to rescue survivors, including a child and several tourists. Five victims remain in serious condition. “It hit the building with brutal force and collapsed like a cardboard box,” one witness told local media.
Portugal has declared three days of mourning, with the president and prime minister offering condolences to grieving families. Lisbon’s mayor Carlos Moedas said, “It’s a tragic day for our city… Lisbon is in mourning.”
The Elevador da Gloria, built in 1885, is both a national monument and popular tourist attraction. Investigators are now working to determine why the carriage lost control.
👉 Should historic transport remain in service, or is modernization urgently needed? Share your thoughts on this heartbreaking tragedy.