Portugal has declared a national day of mourning after a tragic accident involving Lisbon’s famous Gloria funicular railway left at least 15 people dead and 18 others injured. The incident, which occurred Wednesday evening, has shocked the country and prompted immediate investigations.

The Gloria funicular, officially known as Elevador da Glória, derailed while climbing the steep hill that connects Restauradores Square with the Bairro Alto district. The car reportedly lost control around 6 pm, careening down the slope before crashing into a building on a narrow street.

Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic. One witness told Portuguese media that the tram “hit the building with brutal force and fell apart like a cardboard box.” Another reported that a pedestrian was struck when the streetcar toppled onto the pavement.

Emergency teams managed to pull all victims from the wreckage in just over two hours. Authorities confirmed that five of the injured remain in critical condition, and among the victims were foreign nationals, though their identities have not been disclosed.

Terribles imágenes del "Elevador de Glória" de Lisboa, un popular funicular en el centro de la capital de Portugal, que ha descarrilado hoy. Se está hablando ya de 15 personas muertas a causa de este accidente. Mis oraciones por los fallecidos.pic.twitter.com/yoAucINGU7

— Elentir (@elentirvigo) September 3, 2025

National response

Prime Minister Luis Montenegro announced that Thursday would be observed as a day of national mourning, expressing grief for the families of those killed. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa also issued a statement offering condolences and urging authorities to swiftly determine the cause of the crash.

Lisbon’s mayor, Carlos Moedas, called it “a tragic day for our city,” while SITRA, a transport workers’ union, confirmed that one of its members had been among the victims.

International messages of sympathy poured in as well. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed condolences to the families, while Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also voiced solidarity with Portugal.

Investigations underway

Public prosecutors have opened a formal inquiry into the cause of the Lisbon railway disaster. Police investigators inspected the crash site late into the night, while the municipal transport company Carris emphasized that regular inspections and maintenance had been carried out. The company said the funicular undergoes daily checks as well as weekly and monthly maintenance protocols.

Despite this, the city council suspended operations of all funiculars and trams across Lisbon pending safety inspections.

The Gloria funicular is one of Lisbon’s most iconic transport systems, carrying both residents and tourists since its opening in 1885. Classified as a national monument, the line transports around three million passengers annually. Its two cars, each capable of holding about 40 people, operate in tandem, connected by a haulage cable and powered by electric motors.

Here is the funicular line that just crashed in Portugal when a cable broke. (I took this during our trip last fall). Reports indicate 15 dead, 18 injured. It’s a big tourist draw and brings you up an incredibly steep slope to the famous Barrio Alto neighborhood. Just horrible. pic.twitter.com/byCKzQHRM7

— Scott Thuman (@ScottThuman) September 3, 2025

The crash comes at a time when Lisbon has been experiencing a tourism boom, with the downtown districts, particularly Bairro Alto, crowded with visitors during the summer months.