A 19th-century streetcar on Lisbon’s famous Elevador da Glória funicular derailed Wednesday evening and crashed into a building, killing 2 people, including operation brakeman André Marques, and injuring 21 others, bringing the crash rise to 17 deaths with a previous death count of 15. Many of the injured were tourists. Emergency responders extracted the victims in just over two hours. Portugal declared a national day of mourning, with EU flags flown at half-staff in solidarity.
What Happened: Quick Facts
The funicular lost control, possibly due to brake failure or a snapped cable, and crashed around 6 p.m. local time on Avenida da Glória during rush hour. The iconic yellow and white car ended up crumpled against a building on the historic route. Scheduled maintenance was confirmed, and authorities started an immediate probe. Three other similar lifts were suspended for safety checks.
National Impact and Mourning
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas, and EU officials expressed grief over the tragedy. Portugal entered a day of national mourning, while Lisbon’s city council added two extra days of local remembrance. The crash may be Lisbon’s deadliest recent incident.
Why It Matters
The Elevador da Glória, in operation since 1885 and classified as a national monument, carries millions annually between downtown and Bairro Alto. The disaster raises serious safety questions about Lisbon’s historic transit and underscores the challenges of preserving heritage while ensuring public safety.
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