On September 3, 2025, just as evening commuters and tourists gathered at the top of Lisbon’s famed Ascensor da Glória, tragedy struck. At approximately 18:05 local time, one of the heritage funicular cars derailed and hurtled down the steep Calçada da Glória, careening into a building with devastating force. The impact was described by witnesses as horrifyingly strong, with many saying the tram crumpled “like a cardboard box” upon collision. People.comWikipedia

The initial chaos claimed the lives of 15 people at the scene and left many more injured, including a three-year-old child and several foreign tourists. By the next day, authorities confirmed that one more victim succumbed to injuries in hospital, raising the death toll to 16 and increasing the injured to 21–23, some in critical condition. The GuardianWikipediaPeople.comAP NewsElHuffPost+1El País

Portuguese investigators quickly identified the nationalities of many who died: among the 16 fatalities were five Portuguese nationals—including the tram’s brakeman, André Jorge Gonçalves Marques—and eleven foreigners. Notably, three British citizens perished, alongside victims from South Korea, Canada, Switzerland, Ukraine, France, and the United States. Initially, a German citizen was mistakenly reported dead but was later confirmed alive and hospitalized. The GuardianWikipediaReuters+2Reuters+2ITVX+1ElHuffPostEl PaísAP NewsPeople.comSky NewsThe Independent

In response, Portugal declared a national day of mourning and Lisbon observed three days of official mourning. A memorial mass was held at Igreja de São Domingos, attended by the President, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, and the Mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas. Flags across Europe flew at half-mast as expressions of sympathy poured in from around the continent. WikipediaEl PaísThe GuardianPeople.comReuters

Investigations are now underway to determine the cause of the derailment. Early signs point toward a possible mechanical failure: experts suspect that a critical haulage cable snapped or gave way due to fatigue, causing the system’s counterbalance mechanism to fail. Transport unions had previously voiced concerns over braking issues and cable tension irregularities, though there’s no official confirmation linking these to the accident. Carris, the operator, maintains that the funicular had undergone its full maintenance in 2024 and that regular daily, weekly, and monthly inspections were performed, including a visual check only hours before the incident. The GuardianEl PaísWikipedia+1WikipediaCadena SERWikipediaWikipediaReutersThe Sun

Authorities anticipate a preliminary report in six weeks, with a broader police investigation to follow within 45 days. At the scene, the mangled carriage and its counterpart were removed for forensic examination. Portugal—known for its charm, steep hills, and historic lifts—now grapples with one of the deadliest transport disasters in its modern history. The tragedy has shaken Lisbon and raised pressing questions about the safety of its beloved vintage attractions. Tourism officials and public transport operators are bracing for long-term impacts. Reuters+1The GuardianCadena SERWikipediaThe Sun