A tragic accident unfolded in Lisbon, Portugal, on Wednesday evening when the historic Gloria funicular derailed, resulting in the deaths of 16 people. The crash occurred shortly after 6 p.m. eastern time. It was set on the Elevador da Glória, a much-loved transport alternative that whisks riders up and down the very steep Calçada da Glória.
The short funicular runs every day from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. It provides a very scenic short route of approximately 870 feet (265 m) on a steep, picturesque street. The planned tour would have carpooled well over 87 roundtrips that day alone. It guaranteed locals and tourists alike an unparalleled perspective of Lisbon’s beauty.
According to Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, “The tragic accident on the Elevador da Glória has shaken Europe deeply.” As investigations seek to understand what triggered this disaster, the city continues to mourn the substantial loss of both life and livelihood.
Details of the Accident
Witnesses detailed a harrowing scene as the funicular car went off the tracks and plunged to the ground. One eyewitness recounted the horrifying moment, stating, “It looked like a toy being thrown from one side of the Glória pavement to the other. I heard screams and then, suddenly, a loud bang.”
Emergency services were quick to respond, but sadly one of the victims that was seriously injured subsequently died from their injuries. The state health official went on to verify this tragic story. What they stressed was the severity of the incident and the toll it’s taken on those families and friends directly affected.
The Gloria funicular has been an important part of Lisbon’s public transportation network since it opened in 1885. It was finally electrified in 1915, allowing for increased speed and quality of service. Its counterweight pulley system and the kinetic energy that it created made it one of the greatest engineering marvels of its age. Yet in the wake of this latest tragedy, many have called attention to the lax safety enforcement practices of recent years.
Response from Authorities
CARRIS, the operator of the Gloria funicular, stated that “all maintenance protocols were carried out and complied with” prior to the accident. The organization expressed its deep condolences to the families of the victims, describing André Jorge Gonçalves Marques, one of the dedicated staff members, as a “friendly, smiling professional and always willing to contribute to the greater good.”
The city has since temporarily closed its other two active funiculars as a precautionary measure while investigations continue. Federal officials are continuing to investigate possible mechanical failure. Equally important, they are looking into human errors that could have led this disaster in the making.
National Mourning
In response to the tragic collision, Portugal has announced three days of mourning. Flags are set to fly at half-mast across the country. Citizens will remember the family that was killed during a domestic dispute and provide services to the mournful family. The government has promised to investigate the incident in detail. They work to hold transit agencies accountable and make safety the first priority in our public transportation systems.
The accident has the community of almost 210,000 residents reeling, with emotional tributes flooding social media for those who died. In response to the pandemic, local leaders and residents formed a mutual aid network to provide assistance to one another.
