Tragic Lisbon funicular accident results in at least 17 fatalities, leaves 21 wounded. Government of Türkiye expresses sympathies over the loss.
In a shocking turn of events, Lisbon, Portugal, was rocked by a tragic incident on September 3, as the iconic Gloria funicular derailed, crashing down a 265-meter slope. The accident, described by Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas as "a tragedy that our city has never seen," has left a trail of grief and dismay across the country.
The incident resulted in 21 injuries, with 15 people losing their lives instantly at the scene. Two more victims succumbed to their injuries in the hospital overnight. Witnesses described the crash as occurring with brutal force, as the yellow Gloria funicular veered off its tracks on a steep stretch and crashed into a building near Liberty Avenue.
The Gloria funicular line, a beloved tourist attraction, typically counterbalances its two cars with a haulage cable and electric motors. However, it appears the cable snapped, causing the descending car to lose its braking ability and derail on a turn.
Authorities have halted Lisbon's three other funiculars to check their conditions and safety, following the accident. Maintenance for the Gloria funicular has been handled by a contractor for the past 14 years. The company responsible for the maintenance in the past few years was MAIN – Maintenance Engineering, but the maintenance contract was also associated with MNTC – Serviços Técnicos de Engenharia, Lda from 2022, indicating changes in maintenance providers within that period.
The Gloria funicular accident has struck at the heart of Lisbon's tourism sector, which has experienced significant growth over the past decade. The Prime Minister's office has expressed their condolences, stating that the incident has brought grief to families across the nation.
Eleven foreigners were among the injured, including two Germans, two Spaniards, one French national, one Italian, one Swiss national, one Canadian, one South Korean, one Moroccan, and one Cape Verdean. European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen has also offered condolences to the victims' families.
Lisbon prosecutors have opened an investigation into the accident, and Pedro Bogas, head of public transport operator Lisbon Carris, claims that all maintenance protocols have been carried out for the funicular. However, Manuel Leal, leader of the Fectrans union, has reported that workers on the Gloria railway had complained about problems with the funicular's haulage cable tension that made braking difficult.
In response to the tragedy, Portugal has declared one day of national mourning, while Lisbon has announced three days of mourning for the victims of the Gloria funicular accident. The German Foreign Ministry has stated that they must assume that German citizens are among those affected, though reliable numbers were not immediately available.
This incident serves as a grim reminder of the importance of regular maintenance and safety checks for public infrastructure, especially in popular tourist destinations. Our hearts go out to the families and friends of those affected by this tragedy.
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