Lisbon, Portugal — At least three people were killed and about 20 others injured on Wednesday after Lisbon’s historic Gloria funicular railway derailed and crashed, turning one of the Portuguese capital’s most beloved tourist attractions into the scene of tragedy. Authorities said three of the injured remain in critical condition.
Emergency services confirmed the fatalities and reported that dozens of ambulances and fire crews were dispatched to the site near Restauradores Square. Footage from local media showed the mangled upper car of the funicular, with rescuers pulling passengers from twisted metal as crowds gathered nearby.
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Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas and President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed condolences to the victims’ families, with the president describing the accident as a “dark day” for the capital. “We mourn those who lost their lives, and we will seek answers swiftly,” Mr. de Sousa said, adding that investigators had already begun examining the wreckage.
The Gloria line, inaugurated in 1885, connects Lisbon’s downtown area with the Bairro Alto, a neighborhood famed for its nightlife and scenic views. Operated by the city’s public transport company Carris, the funicular consists of two cars attached to opposite ends of a haulage cable, powered by electric motors.
According to reports from CNN Portugal, the lower car of the funicular remained largely undamaged, but passengers were forced to jump out of its windows to escape after the derailment of the upper car. The cause of the crash remains unclear, though transport officials said technical experts had been dispatched to determine whether mechanical failure or a cable issue was to blame.
The Gloria funicular, along with its counterparts the Bica and Lavra lines, is not only a vital link between Lisbon’s steep districts but also a UNESCO-recognized symbol of the city’s heritage, drawing thousands of visitors every week.
For now, authorities have suspended the service and cordoned off the area, as investigators work to piece together how a 140-year-old icon of Lisbon’s transport network ended in catastrophe.
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