At least 15 people died and 18 others were injured after the Gloria funicular railway in Lisbon, Portugal, derailed and collided with a building. The incident occurred on the historic line, which connects downtown Lisbon to the Bairro Alto district, a popular tourist area.
Emergency workers rescued victims from the wreckage of the tram-like vehicle, which was found lying on its side on a narrow road. The funicular, operating since 1885, features two cars linked by a haulage cable and powered by electric motors. One car remained undamaged, but passengers were forced to jump out of its windows during the crash.
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa condemned the accident, calling it the worst in the city’s recent history. Authorities have not yet identified victims or disclosed their nationalities, though reports suggest some foreign nationals were among the deceased. Five injured individuals were in serious condition, including a child, according to the National Institute for Medical Emergencies.
The disaster has cast a shadow over Lisbon’s tourism industry, which relies heavily on visitors drawn to its historic sites. Emergency crews worked at the scene for approximately two hours before withdrawing. The cause of the derailment remains under investigation.