Shock and grief have engulfed Portugal after one of Lisbon’s most famous funicular streetcars, the Ascensor da Glória, derailed on Wednesday 10th September, 2025 evening, killing at least 16 people and injuring 21 others, including tourists from several countries.
The crash, described by authorities as the worst transport disaster in the city’s recent history, happened around 6:05 pm when the upper car of the funicular lost control during its descent from Bairro Alto to Praça dos Restauradores.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the car “rushing downhill with no brakes” before it smashed into a building on a sharp bend. Its roof and sides were mangled, leaving a trail of destruction and panic in one of Lisbon’s busiest tourist corridors.
Amongst the dead and injured are Portuguese citizens and foreign nationals, including visitors from Britain, South Korea, Canada, France, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United States. A three-year-old child is among those hospitalized.
Preliminary investigations suggest the steel cable connecting the two cars may have snapped or detached, leaving the upper car to roll freely. Officials confirmed that both pneumatic and manual brakes were applied but could not stop the runaway vehicle.
Emergency services worked through the night to pull victims from the wreckage as stunned bystanders gathered at the crash site. Portugal has declared a national day of mourning, while Lisbon suspended operations on all other funicular lines pending safety checks.
The Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro called the incident a “national tragedy”, pledging a full investigation and promising accountability. “We owe it to the victims and their families to uncover the truth and ensure this never happens again,” he said.
Ascensor da Glória inaugurated in 1885, is one of Lisbon’s best-known landmarks, carrying thousands of tourists daily. What was once a symbol of charm and history is now at the center of Portugal’s deepest sorrow.
