Lisbon funicular crash claimed at least 16 lives after a historic tram derailed and hit a building in central Lisbon during Wednesday evening rush hour. The incident happened around 18:15 local time on the steep slope between Restauradores Square and Bairro Alto.
The Elevador da Gloria, a well-known Lisbon landmark, was carrying passengers downhill when it lost control and went off the tracks. Witnesses described the tram as moving “without brakes” at high speed.
Portuguese authorities confirmed that 16 people died and more than 20 were injured, including five with serious injuries. A child sustained minor injuries, and one injured person later died at Hospital de Sao Jose.
Prime Minister Luis Montenegro declared a national day of mourning and canceled his public schedule. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed condolences and called for a prompt investigation into the cause.
The crash destroyed one of the two cars on the Glória line. Emergency footage shows debris scattered along the narrow cobbled street, with the tram crumpled against the facade of a building at a bend in the road.
Carris, the municipal transport company operating the funicular, confirmed all inspections had been completed, including interim maintenance in 2024 and a full inspection in 2022. Weekly and daily checks were also in place.
Carris expressed condolences and said an internal investigation is ongoing. Portugal’s national transport safety authority, criminal police, and the public prosecutor’s office have launched separate inquiries. Procedures for evidence preservation and coordination with police are in progress.
The Elevador da Gloria began operations in 1885. Originally water-powered, it was electrified in 1915. Today, it is a national monument and carries around 3 million passengers per year, including tourists and locals.
The funicular system uses two parallel cars connected by a steel cable. As one car descends, its weight helps pull the other uphill. The route spans approximately 260 meters and remains one of Lisbon’s most popular transport experiences.
Teresa d’Avó told SIC television, “It hit the building with brutal force and collapsed like a cardboard box.”
Another witness said people ran as soon as the tram appeared. “We thought it would collide with the one below. But it went off around the bend and crashed,” she said.
Reports indicate that Andre Jorge Goncalves Marques, a brake guard aboard the tram, was among the dead. Local media also reported that a German man died in the crash while his wife and three-year-old son survived. The child sustained minor injuries, and the mother remains in critical condition.
The second car of the funicular, located at the bottom of the track during the incident, did not derail but was affected. Video footage shows it jolting as passengers jumped from the windows.
Authorities have not confirmed the cause of the derailment. Early reports suggest a key cable may have come loose, affecting the braking system.
Following the crash, Lisbon city council suspended all other streetcar operations and ordered emergency inspections.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described the accident as “terrible.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed condolences via social media.
The UK Foreign Office confirmed awareness of the incident and stated consular assistance is available for British nationals. Britain remains the largest source of international visitors to Portugal, followed by Germany, Spain, and the United States.
Mayor Carlos Moedas said Lisbon was “in mourning” and called the incident “a tragic moment for the city.”
Rescue operations concluded late Wednesday evening, freeing all passengers trapped in the wreckage in just over two hours. Firefighters, police, forensic officers, and investigators remained on site throughout the night. As of Thursday morning, the crash site remains cordoned off, with the destroyed carriage still in place.
The Glória funicular is one of three remaining funicular systems in Lisbon. Built to navigate the city’s steep hills, these trams are a vital part of Lisbon’s identity and public transport infrastructure.
