At least three fatalities have been reported, along with 20 injuries, following the derailment of the Gloria funicular railway in Lisbon, according to emergency services. The incident occurred near Avenida da Liberdade around 18:05 on Wednesday evening. The head of Portugal’s Civil Protection Authority indicated that several individuals were trapped at the scene, and two of the injured were in serious condition.
Local reports suggest that a cable along the railway’s route came loose, leading the funicular to lose control before colliding with a nearby building. Eyewitness accounts and social media footage captured the aftermath, with the funicular overturned and significant damage visible. People were seen evacuating the area amid smoke.
The Gloria Funicular is a historically significant attraction in Lisbon, having been inaugurated in 1885 and electrified in the early 20th century. The event raises questions about safety protocols and maintenance for such historic transport systems in urban areas.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1jzlgj915no?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss