Lead: On the afternoon of Sept. 3, 2025, a historic Lisbon funicular, the Elevador da Gloria, derailed while descending a steep central hill and struck a building, killing 17 people and injuring dozens, authorities said.
Key takeaways
- Seventeen people died after the Elevador da Gloria careened off its tracks in Lisbon on Sept. 3, 2025.
- Around 21 people were reported injured; emergency services later confirmed two additional deaths among the hospitalized.
- The funicular travelled roughly 800 feet down a steep incline before derailing; it has operated for about 140 years.
- Some victims were foreign visitors; authorities have not yet released names.
- Carris, the operator, said inspections had been performed as required; an official investigation is underway.
- Local reports have speculated that a cable failure occurred, but this remains unconfirmed by investigators.
Verified facts
The accident occurred late Wednesday afternoon on Sept. 3, 2025, when the Elevador da Gloria—one of Lisbon’s iconic hillside funiculars—left its tracks and collided with a building in central Lisbon. Emergency crews, including firefighters and medical teams, responded immediately and worked through the night to reach victims.
Officials confirmed 17 fatalities after two people who had been hospitalized died overnight, Lisbon Civil Protection head Margarida Castro Martins told reporters. Authorities said approximately 21 people sustained injuries; initial reporting indicated that about half of those injured were foreign tourists.
The Elevador da Gloria carries passengers on a short but steep route of roughly 270 yards (about 800 feet) between Praça dos Restauradores and Bairro Alto. The line has been in service for around 140 years and is typically crowded with visitors during the late summer season.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date | Sept. 3, 2025 |
| Location | Elevador da Gloria, central Lisbon |
| Fatalities | 17 |
| Injured | About 21 (two later died in hospital) |
Context & impact
Lisbon’s funiculars are landmark attractions and form part of the city’s public transit network operated by Carris. The Revelador da Gloria route is particularly popular with tourists for its views and quick connection between lower and upper neighborhoods.
The crash has prompted immediate safety checks on other funiculars in the city, Reuters reported, and authorities declared a national day of mourning. Lisbon’s mayor announced a three-day period of official mourning for the city.
Beyond the immediate human toll, the incident is likely to prompt broader scrutiny of safety protocols, maintenance records and regulatory oversight for heritage transit lines that remain in regular passenger service.
Official statements
The national government described the event as a tragic accident that caused irreparable loss and left families and the nation in mourning.
Portuguese government
Carris stated that required inspections, including daily checks, had been carried out as mandated and pledged full cooperation with investigators.
Carris (operator)
Unconfirmed
- Local reports have suggested the primary cable may have snapped; investigators have not publicly confirmed a cause.
- Full passenger manifests and the identities of the victims have not been released pending family notification.
Bottom line
The derailment of the Elevador da Gloria is one of Portugal’s deadliest recent transit accidents and will trigger a formal probe into operational practices and safety oversight. Authorities have begun inspections of related equipment while the investigation seeks to establish technical and human factors behind the crash.