On the evening of September 3, 2025, a catastrophic incident occurred involving Lisbon's historic Glória Funicular, resulting in at least 17 fatalities and 21 injuries. The funicular, a popular tourist attraction connecting the Baixa district to Bairro Alto, derailed while descending a steep incline and collided with a building.

The Glória Funicular, operational since 1885, is a heritage transport system managed by Carris. The incident took place during the early evening hours, a period of high passenger traffic. Initial reports suggest that the tram lost control, possibly due to a cable failure or malfunctioning brakes, leading to the tragic crash. Among the deceased was André Marques, the tram's brakeman.

The victims included both Portuguese citizens and international tourists from countries such as Germany, South Korea, Canada, Morocco, and Italy. Emergency response teams acted swiftly, rescuing all individuals within two hours. The injured were transported to nearby hospitals, with several reported to be in serious condition.

In the aftermath of the disaster, the Portuguese government declared a national day of mourning. Authorities have suspended operations of the Glória Funicular and other similar systems in the city to conduct safety inspections.Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the derailment and to prevent future occurrences.

The Glória Funicular has been a significant part of Lisbon's public transport network, offering both locals and visitors a scenic route through the city's historic areas. The incident has raised concerns about the maintenance and safety of aging infrastructure in urban transit systems.

Sources:Associated Press, The Sun, Omni, VG, People, Fox News