Just after 6 PM on Wednesday, a horrific accident transpired involving a carriage of Lisbon's renowned Glória funicular, which careened down a steep incline, smashing into a building. Eyewitness Helen Chow described the scene as chaotic, stating, It sounded like a bomb followed by complete silence… black smoke billowed from the crash site, causing panic among bystanders who rushed to help those injured.
The crash resulted in at least 16 fatalities and around 20 injuries, some critically severe, near Avenida da Liberdade in Lisbon. Eyewitness video captured the yellow-and-white train in a crumpled position against the building, amid frantic crowds rushing towards the scene.
The Glória funicular, which has served the public for over 140 years, operates by allowing one carriage to ascend while the other descends, using a cable system. Reports indicate that the carriage at the lower end was reportedly ascending when the upper carriage lost control, plummeting down the hill at high speed.
Eyewitness Rasha Abdo was in the lower carriage when she felt it accelerate uncontrollably. There was no way to stop; it was as if we were on a runaway train, she recounted. Upon impact, people were thrown against each other—there was a collective sense of impending doom.
Survivors shared their horror of witnessing the second carriage racing downhill, with Abel Esteves, a local resident, stating, I shouted to my wife, 'we are all going to die here!' as it seemed certain it would crash into our carriage. Witnesses described the aftermath as devastating, with some locals and tourists trying to aid the victims immediately. Tour guide Marianna Figueiredo conveyed her chilling experience of finding bodies amid the wreckage, stating, What I witnessed was nearly inconceivable. It was a significant local tragedy.
Amid the sorrow, the community has banded together, providing support for the victims' families. As investigation efforts continue, many are left questioning how such a catastrophic failure could occur on a fixture of Lisbon's transport system.
Tourists present at the time of the crash expressed their shock and condolences, reflecting on how close they came to being involved in the tragedy. Eric Packer, visiting from the US, shared, We actually debated taking the funicular moments before, just missing the disaster by mere minutes.
The tragedy has prompted a national day of mourning in Portugal, symbolizing the loss experienced by many, as the city processes this unimaginable event.
