Lisbon Tragedy: 16 Lives Lost in Funicular Accident, Revealed as Non-Residents Among Victims
In a shocking turn of events, a tragic accident occurred on Wednesday evening in Lisbon, Portugal. The Gloria Funicular, a popular tourist attraction and a national monument, derailed during evening rush hour, resulting in a devastating crash.
The incident took place between Restauradores Square and the Bairro Alto neighborhood, a journey of 265 meters (870 feet) that usually takes just three minutes. The crash involved one of the carriages traveling downhill and crashing into a building 30 meters (98 feet) from the bottom of the line.
The aftermath was devastating. Sixteen people lost their lives in the accident, among them five Portuguese, two Koreans, one Swiss, and the identities of the other eight are yet to be made public. Twenty-three people were injured, some of whom were foreign tourists.
The Gloria Funicular, designed by the Portuguese engineer Raoul Mesnier de Ponsard in 1885, connects downtown's Restauradores Square to the neighborhood of Bairro Alto at the top of a hill. Known for its panoramic view of the city, which many consider to be the best in Lisbon, the funicular is the best-known and most popular funicular in the city, transporting around three million people a year.
The cause of the malfunction that led to the derailment is not yet clear. Reports suggest that the cable car's brakes failed to stop the car after departure, causing it to accelerate downhill uncontrollably, derail at a curve, and crash into street fixtures and a building. The cable, it is said, came loose. However, the exact sequence of events and the reason behind the cable's failure are still under investigation.
The leader of the Fectrans union has claimed that workers had expressed concerns about problems with the railway's haulage cable tension that made braking difficult. Yet, there is no information available about any tensions between the cable car employees and the union before the accident.
In the wake of the tragedy, Lisbon's mayor, Mr Moedas, declared three days of mourning in the city, with Thursday also declared a day of national grief. Speaking at a news conference, Mr Moedas said, "Lisbon needs answers" and that people expect "accountability and responsibility". Portugal's Prime Minister Luis Montenegro paid tribute to the victims and said that Portuguese authorities are in touch with the families of foreign nationals killed.
World leaders have also expressed their sympathies and condolences for the victims. These include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, United Nations director-general Antonio Guterres, President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen, the Pope, and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, and the city of Lisbon awaits answers and resolution to ensure the safety of its citizens and visitors in the future.
