A devastating accident involving the Gloria funicular in Lisbon has left at least 15 people dead and 18 injured. The iconic yellow funicular, a beloved symbol of the Portuguese capital and a popular tourist attraction, derailed on Wednesday and crashed into a building, causing widespread shock and grief.
Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas described the tragedy as “a tragedy that our city has never seen.” Emergency services worked tirelessly to recover victims from the wreckage, confirming that the deceased included foreign nationals.
The accident occurred at approximately 6:15 pm local time (1715 GMT) on a particularly steep section of the tracks near Liberty Avenue. Social media was flooded with images depicting the immediate aftermath, showing the funicular heavily damaged against a wall, emerging from a cloud of smoke and debris. Another funicular was seen halted nearby, as onlookers grappled with the scene.
A witness, speaking to SIC television, recounted the terrifying moments, stating that the funicular was travelling “at full speed” down the incline when it struck the building. “It hit a building with brutal force and collapsed like a cardboard box; it had no brakes,” the witness claimed.
While authorities have declared a national day of mourning for Thursday, questions are being raised about the cause of the derailment. Lisbon's public transport operator, Carris, insists that “all maintenance protocols” were followed meticulously. Pedro Bogas, the head of Lisbon Carris, stated that maintenance of the funiculars has been a priority, but an investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances that led to this horrific incident.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have launched a full investigation to determine the cause of the funicular derailment. The investigation will focus on potential mechanical failures, maintenance records, and operational procedures. Experts will examine the funicular's braking system, track conditions, and other relevant factors to understand what led to the tragedy.
Public Transport Safety Concerns
The Lisbon funicular accident has raised concerns about the safety of public transportation systems. Many are calling for increased safety inspections and improved maintenance practices to prevent similar incidents in the future. The investigation's findings will likely lead to recommendations for enhancing safety standards across the public transport sector.
- Enhanced safety inspections
- Improved maintenance practices
- Review of operational procedures