On Wednesday evening, a tragic incident occurred involving the Gloria funicular in Lisbon, a well-known tourist attraction. The funicular derailed, resulting in at least 15 fatalities and 18 injuries, some of which are serious, according to local authorities. The specific cause of the derailment remains unclear; however, preliminary reports from a local newspaper suggest that a cable may have malfunctioned, leading the carriage to lose control and collide with a nearby building.
Emergency services responded quickly, deploying over 60 personnel and 22 vehicles to the scene. Eyewitness accounts described an overturned carriage that appeared significantly damaged, with smoke present in the area as people evacuated on foot.
The Portuguese emergency medical service indicated that of the injured individuals, five were in critical condition, while the other thirteen, which included a child, sustained minor injuries. Some foreign nationals were among those who died, and several individuals who were initially trapped have since been rescued. The funicular typically carries up to 43 passengers, but the exact number on board at the time of the accident is not known.
The Gloria funicular, operational since 1885, is a vital mode of transport for navigating Lisbon’s steep hills, running from Restauradores Square to Bairro Alto over a distance of approximately 275 meters. It uses an electric system where two cars, attached to opposite ends of a cable, travel simultaneously uphill and downhill.
In response to the tragedy, Lisbon’s Mayor Carlos Moedas declared three days of municipal mourning. Condolences from various officials followed, underscoring the tragedy’s impact on both the local community and visitors. Authorities have expressed a commitment to investigating the incident thoroughly to determine its cause.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn95l12epxzo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss