Out-of-control tourist tram careens down steep hill and smashes into building in Lisbon, Portugal’s capital

Fifteen people were killed, 18 more injured after Lisbon’s famous Gloria Funicular derailed on Wednesday evening

Crash happened after one of the cables came loose along the railway’s route, causing it to lose control and career down a steep hill before colliding with a building

Footage from the site showed the tram-like funicular, which carries people up and down a hillside in Lisbon, practically destroyed and emergency workers pulling people out of the wreckage

Fifteen people have been killed, another 18 hurt after Lisbon’s famous Gloria Funicular derailed. Tragedy occurred at 6.05pm on Wednesday evening after one of the cables reportedly came loose

Opened in 1885 and electrified in 1915, the funicular railway line is capable of carrying up to 43 people, one of three of its kind operating in the capital. It is very popular with tourists who use it to navigate the city’s many steep hills

Fifteen people have been killed, at least 18 more injured after Lisbon’s famous Gloria Funicular derailed on Wednesday evening
The tragedy occurred after one of the cables came loose along the railway’s route.
Established in 1885, the tram-like funicular, which carries people up and down a hillside in the Portuguese capital, then lost control, careened down a steep hill, coming to a halt when it collided with a building. 
Viral footage from the scene shows first responders workers pulling people out of the wreckage of the funicular.
According to one witness, the tram ‘crashed into a building with brutal force and fell apart like a cardboard box. It crashed with tremendous force. It didn’t have any kind of brakes.’
The building is reported to be a hotel. Fifteen people were confirmed fifteen people were killed. At least18 more people were injured, with eight said to have sustained ‘serious’ injuries.
Names and nationalities of the victims have not yet been released.

Footage from the site showed the tram-like funicular, which carries people up and down a hillside in Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, destroyed and first responders pulling people out of the wreckage on Wednesday evening

Witness accounts describe scenes from the carnage, with several and the sight of several bloodied and ot unconscious victims being pulled from the wreckage by first responders who were quick to arrive on the scene.
While it was not immediately clear what had caused the crash, most people are of the same opinion as Fernando Nunes da Silva, former Lisbon City Council member and engineering specialist, who while speaking with local media said ‘it’s most likely that the traction cable broke and when that cable broke the brakes didn’t work.’
‘The descending elevator gained momentum and continued at great speed,’ he added.

One engineering specialist familiar with the electric train said, ‘it’s most likely that the traction cable broke and when that cable broke the brakes didn’t work’

Emergency workers evacuate one casualty on a stretcher at the site of a derailed electric streetcar in Lisbon, Portugal. Of the 18 people reportedly injured, eight people injured sustained serious injuries, with three said to be in a ‘critical condition

The former councilman says that these elevators ‘have a very sturdy metal structure and were built at a time when very rigid structures were highly valued.’ 
‘For the [elevator] to be in that condition, it had to be hit very hard,’ he notes.
And he says: ‘There is no record of the elevator having had an accident in the last few decades,’ da Silva said.
‘Something surprising is that the brakes didn’t work because when a situation like this happens, there are devices in the vehicle that allow braking to be applied. 
‘Even if this doesn’t prevent the derailment, it could have reduced the impact,’ says Nunes da Silva.
He says he’s noticed in many situations involving government functions that ‘there’s a lack of people with a good memory and who learned from their elders.’ ‘All of those people have left,’ he says.
Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said: ‘The President of the Republic deeply regrets the accident that occurred this afternoon with the Gloria funicular railway in Lisbon, particularly the fatalities and serious injuries, as well as the various minor injuries.
‘The President of the Republic offers his condolences and solidarity to the families affected by this tragedy and hopes that the incident will be quickly clarified by the competent authorities.’

Emergency teams work at the site of a derailed streetcar in Lisbon, Portugal, Wednesday. The car at the bottom of the line was apparently undamaged and passengers reportedly had to jump out of its windows when the incident happened

President of the European Commission, Ursula Von de Leyen has taken to X to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the incident.
‘It is with sadness that I learned of the derailment of the famous “Elevador da Glória”. My condolences to the families of the victims,’ she wrote.
Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, added: ‘Our hearts are with the people affected by the tragedy of the Glória Elevator, a landmark for Lisbon residents and visitors from around the world. 
‘Europe stands in solidarity with the victims, their loved ones, and the entire community in Lisbon. I wish a speedy recovery to the injured’.
Following the deadly incident, the Lisbon government has announced a national day of mourning set to take place tomorrow. Lisbon City Council had already declared three days of municipal mourning.
The national government in a statement approved by the Council of Ministers said: ‘The government has decided to declare a day of national mourning as an expression of the Portuguese people’s condolences and solidarity. Therefore: national mourning is declared on September 4, 2025.’

The funicular railway line with the capacity to carry 43 people and is one of three electric street cars operating in Lisbon. Operated by the municipal public transport company Carris, it is very popular with tourists, who use it to navigate the city’s many steep hills

The funicular railway line is capable of carrying up to 43 people, one of three of its kind operating in the capital, is very popular with tourists who use it to navigate the city’s many steep hills.
The funicular’s two cars are attached to opposite ends of a haulage cable with traction provided by electric motors on the two cars. The car at the bottom of the line was apparently undamaged. Passengers had to jump out of its windows after the crash CNN reports.
The line connects Lisbon’s downtown area near the Restauradores Square with the Bairro Alto (Upper Quarter), famous for its vibrant nightlife, was opened back in 1885 as the second of its kind in the city. Although it was only electrified in 1915, it still retains its original characteristics.
The Aircraft and Railway Accident Prevention and Investigation Office (GPIAAF) will open an investigation into the derailment of the Glória elevator, ‘beginning with collecting evidence at the site tomorrow morning [Thursday],’ the agency has said.