LISBON, Portugal — A devastating accident involving Lisbon’s iconic Elevador da Glória funicular has claimed 15 lives and left 18 others injured, including five critically, on Wednesday evening.
Authorities confirmed that all passengers were evacuated from the wreckage by 8:30 p.m. Among the victims was André Marques, the brakeman operating the cabin at the time of the tragedy. He was the first fatality officially identified.
According to firefighters, the derailment occurred when a cable came loose, causing the funicular to accelerate uncontrollably down the steep slope. The tram crashed violently into the wall of a building on Rua da Glória around 6:05 p.m., as it descended from the São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint toward Restauradores Square.
Emergency crews, including firefighters, paramedics, and police, worked late into the night to rescue survivors and recover the victims. Local hospitals remain on high alert as several of the injured continue to fight for their lives.
Portuguese officials have launched a full investigation into the cause of the derailment, with transportation authorities pledging to review the safety of all funicular and tram systems across the city.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro expressed his condolences, calling the incident “a national tragedy” and vowing that families of the victims will receive support.
The Elevador da Glória, a symbol of Lisbon’s cultural and historic identity since 1885, has been closed indefinitely pending the outcome of the investigation.
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