Portugal Declares National Mourning After Lisbon Funicular Crash Kills 15
Portugal has declared a day of national mourning after at least 15 people were killed and 18 others injured when Lisbon’s historic Gloria funicular railway derailed and crashed on Wednesday evening.
The yellow-and-white car, known as Elevador da Glória, came off the tracks around 6pm while ascending a steep hill between Restauradores Square and Bairro Alto. Witnesses said it appeared to speed out of control before slamming into a building on a narrow bend.
Emergency services confirmed that five of the injured remain in critical condition, while a child was among those hurt. Authorities said some foreign nationals were among the victims, but their identities have not yet been released.
Lisbon mayor Carlos Moedas described it as “a tragic day for our city,” while President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed condolences and urged investigators to determine the cause quickly. Public prosecutors have opened a formal inquiry.
The funicular, built in 1885 and designated a national monument, is a popular tourist attraction carrying about three million passengers annually. Operator Carris said all maintenance and inspection protocols had been observed, but the city council has suspended operations of other streetcars pending inspections.
European leaders, including EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, offered condolences. Britain’s Foreign Office said it was liaising with local authorities amid concerns that UK nationals may have been affected.
Portugal’s prime minister, Luis Montenegro, said the crash had brought “grief and dismay to the country.” Flags will fly at half-mast on Thursday in honour of the victims.
