At least 15 dead and 18 injured in Lisbon funicular derailment
The accident took place on the well-known Elevador da Gloria, which connects the center of the capital with the upper district.
BarcelonaAt least fifteen people were killed and 18 injured in the derailment of the Gloria funicular in Lisbon. The accident occurred Wednesday night when, for unknown reasons, the tram left the track. The funicular connects the city center with the upper district, and is widely used by tourists as well as by city residents. The tram, with a capacity for 43 passengers, was overturned in the street, completely destroyed. Emergency crews are working in the area.
The derailment alert was issued at 6:08 p.m. local time, and emergency services arrived at the scene of the accident within three minutes, according to Civil Defense.
Among the injured are five seriously injured, including a child, and 13 with minor injuries, according to Tiago Augusto, a spokesperson for the National Institute of Medical Emergencies (INEM). He indicated that all were removed from the vehicle and taken to various hospitals in the city. Regarding the fatalities, they explained that they had different "foreign surnames," suggesting they are of different nationalities, although they did not provide further details at this time.
Members of the Judicial Police are at the scene of the accident to help identify the victims, who will undergo autopsies at the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences. They are also gathering evidence to assess the possible existence of a crime related to the accident, although there is currently no evidence to suggest intentional conduct, according to local media.
The municipal company Carris, responsible for managing the funicular, has regretted the existence of victims in the derailment and announced that it has opened an investigation to determine its causes. In a statement, it assured that "all maintenance protocols" for the vehicle were carried out and complied with. It indicates that in 2022 "general maintenance, which is performed every four years," was carried out, and that last year the last of the temporary repairs, which are carried out every two years, was made. It also adds that "monthly and weekly maintenance schedules, as well as daily inspections, have been scrupulously followed."
Carris president Pedro Bogas told reporters from the scene of the accident: "The maintenance protocol has been scrupulously followed," he said, adding that the company itself has been doing so for 14 years.
The Mobility and Transport Authority (AMT) has confirmed that it will conduct an investigation into the derailment of the Elevador da Gloria with the intention of publishing the results "as soon as possible."
A historic funicular
The Gloria funicular, inaugurated in 1885, connects Restauradores Square with the capital's upper district and the São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint, one of the main tourist attractions in the Portuguese capital. It already suffered a derailment seven years ago. At that time, although there were no injuries, the service was halted for a month for checks.
"Lisbon is in mourning. It's a very hard day," lamented the mayor of the Portuguese capital, Carlos Moeda, who declared three days of mourning in the city. For its part, the Portuguese government declared a day of national mourning this Thursday "as an expression of the condolences and solidarity of the Portuguese people." President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa offered his condolences to the victims and stated that he hopes the causes of the accident will be clarified. He also announced the cancellation of the Book Festival, which was scheduled to take place in the next four days at the Palau de Belém, "in memory of the victims and in solidarity with the grieving families."
