The “Elevador da Glória” derailed and crashed, claiming the lives of 17 people. Another 20 were injured, at least 5 of them critically.
Police are working with the company managing the tram to determine exactly who was on board and what caused the crash.
Local media have focused on the cable that enables the counterweight system, which allows the tram to travel up and down the steep hill in central Lisbon. This system has been in use since 1914—originally powered by water, later steam, and now electricity.
Beyond the cable, questions remain about how the tram came off the rails and why the braking system failed to stop its rapid descent down the steep slope. Witnesses on the scene confirmed the absence of effective braking.
“The tram was going full speed down the hill and hit a building. We saw it crash with brutal force, collapsing like a cardboard box. There were no brakes,” said Carla Gomes, a witness.
According to SIC Notícias, citing the rail operator, the main suspicion for the accident’s cause lies in brake failure, though investigations are ongoing. Experts have also highlighted the urgent need for stronger safety measures.
“We need more inspections and more staff. We spend our time talking about safety, yet we keep seeing more accidents. I work in construction and we constantly receive safety training. There must be a deep investigation to see what went wrong and to prevent this from happening again,” said Adriano Santos, an electrician.
The Portuguese government has declared today a national day of mourning across the country. It is believed that among the victims of the crash—considered a major tourist attraction—there were also foreign nationals.
The tram, which normally carries about 40 passengers, was not at full capacity at the time of the accident. Such a disaster with Lisbon’s iconic electric tram had never occurred before.
