Portugal mourns after Lisbon funicular accident claims 17 lives

Portugal has observed a day of national mourning following a fatal accident involving one of Lisbon’s historic funiculars, which derailed and collided with a building on Wednesday evening, leaving at least 17 dead and 21 injured.

An official from emergency services confirmed that some victims were foreign nationals but did not provide further details regarding their identities or origins.

Those injured, including three in critical condition, received treatment at hospitals across the Lisbon region. Two severely hurt individuals later died, increasing the initial death toll from 15 to 17.

Forensic teams conducted autopsies through the night, authorities reported.

Prosecutors have opened an inquiry into the incident, which occurred around 6 p.m. during the evening commute.

The funicular, known as Elevador da Glória, operates on a steep central Lisbon slope, with cars moving in opposite directions.

Footage showed the yellow-and-white car overturned on the narrow street it runs along, its structure crushed after striking a building where the road curves. The vehicle, largely made of metal, was heavily damaged.

Witnesses described the tram losing control before the collision. "It slammed into the building with tremendous force and disintegrated," one bystander, Teresa d’Avó, told SIC.

Another witness, Bruno Pereira, told CNN Portugal that one car near the base of the hill abruptly veered off the track just before the descending tram crashed violently, "hitting the walls like a boulder."

He added, "Moments later, the balancing tram arrived at high speed, completely uncontrolled—smashing into walls as people screamed. It crashed one final time at the curve between Calçada da Glória and Rua da Glória before coming to a halt."

Chaos ensued as bystanders attempted to help. "People were in shock, running everywhere. Some tried pulling victims from the wreckage while cobblestones and dislodged tracks lay scattered," Pereira recalled.

Lisbon’s mayor, Carlos Moedas, arrived at the scene shortly after the accident, calling it an unprecedented tragedy. "Now is the time for support and action," he said.

The government declared Thursday a day of national mourning, with Prime Minister Luís Montenegro stating the incident had "left families in sorrow and the nation in shock."

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed condolences and emphasized the need for a swift investigation.

The Glória line, transporting around 3 million passengers yearly, is one of three funicular routes in Lisbon.