On , a funicular streetcar on the historic Elevador da Glória in central Lisbon derailed and crashed, killing at least 15 people and injuring 18, officials said.
Key Takeaways
- At least 15 people were killed and 18 injured when a funicular car derailed on Sept. 3, 2025.
- Five of the injured are in serious condition; a child is among the wounded.
- The incident occurred on the Elevador da Glória, a steep, tourist-frequented line opened in 1885.
- Emergency crews responded quickly; most had stood down after roughly two hours.
- Operator Carris said scheduled maintenance had been carried out; the cause remains under investigation.
- Lisbon’s mayor declared three days of municipal mourning and national leaders offered condolences.
Verified Facts
The derailment happened on the yellow-and-white funicular known as the Elevador da Glória, which links central Lisbon neighborhoods along a steep hill. The car was reported lying on its side, with visible crumpling to its sides and roof after apparently striking a building near a bend in the road.
Authorities reported 15 fatalities and 18 injuries. The National Institute for Medical Emergencies said five injured people are in serious condition and confirmed that a child is among those hurt. Officials have not released the victims’ nationalities.
Carris, the municipal operator of Lisbon’s surface and historic transport lines, stated that scheduled maintenance had been performed on the line. Local emergency teams worked at the scene; after about two hours most responders were stood down as rescue operations moved to recovery and investigation phases.
City officials described the event as an accident and said it is the worst transport tragedy in Lisbon’s recent history. Investigators have not yet announced any findings on mechanical failure, human error, or other causes.
Context & Impact
The Elevador da Glória has operated since 1885 and is both a functional transit link and a tourist attraction. Its funicular cars run in counterbalance pairs on a narrow street, which concentrates risk factors when a vehicle loses control on steep sections or bends.
The derailment will likely prompt a detailed technical inspection of the funicular rope, braking systems and track, and could lead to temporary suspension of the line during the probe. Municipal mourning will affect city services and memorial arrangements in the coming days.
- Tourist routes in the immediate area may be disrupted while investigators and recovery teams work.
- Insurance, liability and regulatory inquiries may follow, involving Carris and municipal transport authorities.
Official Statements
The Lisbon City Council decrees three days of municipal mourning for the victims of the tragic accident at the Glória Funicular.
Carlos Moedas, Mayor of Lisbon (social media)
The president deeply regrets the accident and expresses his condolences and solidarity with the families affected by this tragedy.
Office of President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa
Unconfirmed
- Eyewitness descriptions that the car ‘careened’ down the hill suggest loss of control but do not establish the technical cause.
- Reports of vehicle speed or specific mechanical failures have not been verified by investigators.
- Victim nationalities and identities have not been released publicly.
Bottom Line
Investigations into the causes of the Elevador da Glória derailment are ongoing. The city has entered a period of mourning while authorities, Carris and technical teams examine maintenance records, vehicle condition and operational procedures to determine what went wrong and how to prevent a recurrence.