At the scene of the Gloria funicular accident, in Lisbon, September 4, 2025. PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP
Portugal is in mourning. On Wednesday, September 3, shortly after 6 pm, the Gloria funicular, one of Lisbon's most iconic modes of transportation, derailed in the historic center of the Portuguese capital.
Emergency services announced a death toll of 16. So far, 21 people have been reported injured, several of whom are in critical condition. Judicial authorities have opened an investigation to determine the cause of the accident. The identities and nationalities of the victims have not yet been made public. However, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that a French national was among the injured.
The tragedy occurred at the bottom of Rua da Gloria, a steep street linking the Rossio square to the Bairro Alto neighborhood. The yellow and white car, carrying mostly foreign passengers, sped down the slope before crashing into a building. According to initial eyewitness accounts, the funicular "was coming down at full speed."
'It had no brakes'
