Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.
Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Next article
Portugal declares national day of mourning to remember people killed in funicular crash
I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice
At least 17 people have died after Lisbon‘s Gloria funicular railway derailed and crashed into a building, also leaving at least 23 people injured, authorities said.
Emergency workers rushed to pull people out of the wreckage after the cable car crashed at around 6pm on Wednesday.
Authorities have not yet identified the victims but the head of Lisbon‘s Civil Protection Agency reportedly said it involved at least 38 people from 10 nationalities.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa offered his condolences and solidarity to the families affected and said authorities are working to establish the cause of the incident.
Initial reports suggest the cable for the funicular came loose. The system’s two cars, each capable of carrying around 40 people, run parallel to each other as they shuttle up and down the hill on a curved, traffic-free road.
Following the incident, Lisbon City Council suspended three other cable cars pending inspection.
The railway, which opened in 1885, is operated by the municipal public transport company Carris. On Wednesday night, it said “all maintenance protocols had been carried out”, including monthly and weekly maintenance programs and daily inspections.
The UK Foreign Office has said it is on stand by to provide assistance if any British nationals affected.
“We are aware of this incident in Lisbon and are in touch with the local authorities,” an FCDO Spokesperson told The Independent.
“We stand by to provide consular assistance if there are any affected British nationals.”
The crash is thought to have involved at least 38 people from 10 nationalities, the head of Lisbon’s Civil Protection Agency is cited as saying by local media.
Portugal’s national tourism board has expressed deep shock and sorrow following the tragic accident.
“It was with deep shock and dismay that the Board of Directors of Tourism of Portugal and its workers learned of the tragic accident that occurred at the Glory Elevator in Lisbon, which resulted in a high number of casualties and serious injuries, including foreign nationals,” Tourism of Portugal said in a statement on Facebook.
“Tourism of Portugal joins in the profound grief over this tragedy, extending its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to all those who, directly or indirectly, suffer from this loss, as well as its solidarity in the recovery of all those injured.
“The Institute also expresses its recognition and appreciation to all those involved in rescuing and supporting the victims and shares in the grief of the city of Lisbon at this difficult time of mourning.”
Lisbon City Council has closed three more funicular cable railways for inspection after Wednesday’s crash.
The Bica, Lavra and Graça funiculars were suspended “to carry out technical inspections”, Lusa reported.
Both the Bica and Lavra were inaugurated at the end of the 19th century, as with the Glória. The Graça opened to the public last year.
Two Spanish nationals injured in the crash have been discharged, according to local media citing Spain’s Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares.
Mr Albares said there is no information on whether any Spaniards are among those killed.
He added that he had spoken with his Portuguese counterpart on Wednesday to convey the Spanish government’s “full solidarity and condolences,” as well as its readiness to collaborate by any means necessary.
The Gloira funicular line connects Lisbon’s downtown area near the Restauradores Square with the Bairro Alto (Upper Quarter).
The crash is thought to have involved at least 38 people from 10 nationalities, the head of Lisbon’s Civil Protection Agency said.
Of the 17 people killed, seven men and eight women died at the scene, all adults. The gender of two people died overnight in hospital is not yet known.
Seven of the people injured are in serious condition. At least 12 of the people injured are women and seven are men, aged between 24 and 65, including a 3-year-old child.
So far, the confirmed nationalities among those injured are:
The European Parliament is flying its flags at half-mast in Brussels, Strasbourg, and Lisbon, according to Lusa.
The gesture marks Portugal’s national day of mourning.
Portuguese transport union Sitra has named a man who worked for Carris as one of the 15 people who died in the crash.
Sitra said André Jorge Gonçalves Marques, who worked as a brake guard, died in Wednesday’s crash.
“We also send our condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the accident and wish them a speedy recovery as well as the best recovery to the others injured in the accident,” Sitra said in a post on Facebook.
Police have not yet confirmed the identities of the victims.
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

source