Crash of the historic Elevador da Gloria funicular is one of Lisbon’s deadliest transport accidents in years.Published On 3 Sep 20253 Sep 2025At least 15 people have been killed and 18 injured when Lisbon’s Elevador da Gloria funicular derailed and crashed, emergency services in Portugal say.Officials have not released the victims’ identities or nationalities but said some of those killed were foreign nationals. “It’s a tragic day for our city. … Lisbon is in mourning. It is a tragic, tragic incident,” Mayor Carlos Moedas told reporters at the scene on Wednesday evening.Footage from the crash site showed the yellow tram-like carriage lying mangled against a building as firefighters pulled passengers from the wreckage. Emergency crews worked into the night to clear debris from the steep hillside railway, a popular attraction in Portugal’s capital.President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed condolences, calling the incident “a tragedy” and urging authorities to swiftly determine the cause.Lisbon’s Firefighters Regiment said a loose cable caused the funicular to lose control and slam into a building. The accident occurred just after 6pm (17:00 GMT) during rush hour, according to local media.The Elevador da Gloria, which first opened in 1885, links the Baixa district with the Bairro Alto neighbourhood, offering sweeping views of the city. Operated by Lisbon’s public transport company Carris, it is one of three historic funicular lines and serves both residents and tourists. A loose cable is blamed for the derailment and crash of the funicular, which is both a practical transport resource for locals and an attraction for tourists [Patricia De Melo Moreira/AFP]Images circulating online showed one car flipped beside the rails …
