Thu Sep 04 00:51:59 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
A tragic accident occurred in Lisbon, Portugal, when the Gloria funicular, a popular tourist attraction, derailed on Wednesday. The crash resulted in 15 fatalities and 18 injuries, including some critically wounded and at least one child. Witnesses described the tram speeding out of control down a steep slope before crashing into a building. Authorities are investigating the cause, with initial reports suggesting a cable failure. The Portuguese government has declared a national day of mourning, while Lisbon has announced three days of mourning. The city has also suspended operations of other streetcars for safety inspections.
**News Article:**
**Lisbon Streetcar Derailment Kills 15, Injures 18 in Tourist Tragedy**
**Lisbon, Portugal** – A Lisbon streetcar, a beloved tourist attraction, derailed on Wednesday evening, leaving 15 dead and 18 injured, some critically. The accident involved the Gloria funicular, a cable railway that transports passengers up a steep slope in the city center.
According to emergency services, the incident occurred around 6:15 pm local time. Witnesses reported hearing a loud noise before the tram careened down Rua da Gloria, a popular street, before colliding with a building. “It hit a building with brutal force and collapsed like a cardboard box; it had no brakes,” one witness told AFP.
Emergency crews quickly responded to the scene, deploying 62 rescuers and 22 support vehicles. The injured were transported to local hospitals, including at least one child, according to officials. The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that two Spanish citizens were among the injured.
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed his condolences, calling the incident a tragedy. The Portuguese government has declared a national day of mourning, while Lisbon has announced three days of mourning in the capital.
The Lisbon Firefighters Regiment initially reported a “cable that came loose” as the cause of the crash, but authorities have stated that the investigation is ongoing. Some reports suggest that workers had previously complained about poor maintenance on the Gloria line, although the city’s public transport company, Carris, insists that all maintenance protocols have been followed.
Lisbon’s City Council has suspended operations of all streetcars in the city pending urgent inspections. The Gloria funicular transports approximately three million people annually and is a vital link between the city’s downtown area and the Bairro Alto, known for its nightlife.
First Piper 