Death toll rises as Portugal mourns Lisbon funicular crash tragedy

4 Sep 2025 • 10:00 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • Portugal observed a national day of mourning on Thursday after a funicular derailment in Lisbon killed 16 people and injured 21, marking the capital's worst accident in recent history.
  • The incident occurred on Wednesday evening when the Elevador da Gloria, a popular 19th-century funicular, crashed into a building.
  • Authorities have not yet released information about the victims, while accident investigators are working to determine the cause, with speculation including a faulty brake or snapped cable.
  • The funicular's crumpled wreckage remained at the scene, cordoned off by police, as pathologists worked through the night on autopsies.
  • Lisbon's city council halted operations of three other funiculars for immediate inspections, and the operating company, Carris, offered condolences and pledged a thorough investigation.