Tragic Funicular Accident in Lisbon Claims 16 Lives Due to Cable Failure
A devastating accident at Lisbon’s historic Glória funicular on September 3, 2025, claimed 16 lives and injured 21 others. This incident is considered one of Portugal’s deadliest transport incidents in recent memory. The 140-year-old yellow tourist tram derailed and crashed into a building during rush hour. The victims included tourists from various countries including the US, UK, Canada, South Korea, Switzerland, Ukraine, and France.
A preliminary investigation by Portugal’s aviation and rail accident office revealed a shocking fact. The steel cable connecting the two carriages broke just six meters into their journey. This caused the upper car to speed uncontrollably down the steep Calçada da Glória hill. Despite the brakeman’s desperate attempts to stop the runaway carriage using both pneumatic and hand brakes, they proved ineffective.
The Glória funicular, a popular transport option that carries approximately 3 million passengers annually, had undergone routine maintenance and daily inspections. No anomalies were detected on the morning of the incident. In the aftermath of the accident, all of Lisbon’s other funiculars have been suspended pending safety inspections. Portugal observed a national day of mourning to honor the victims of this tragic incident.
Source: CNN