At least 16 people lost their lives after the historic Glória funicular railway car derailed on a steep slope in Lisbon, slamming into a nearby building and leaving passengers trapped in the wreckage. Authorities confirmed that the traction cable snapped, causing the railcar to veer off track just meters from its twin car.
The tragic incident has cast a shadow over Lisbon’s reputation as a city of “old-world charm,” raising serious concerns about the safety of its century-old transport infrastructure, which has been strained by a surge in tourism.
Jorge Silva, vice-president of Portugal’s Association of Civil Protection Technical Experts, said the car’s outdated metal-and-wood design from 1914 worsened the crash’s impact. “If the car had been built with modern materials like carbon fiber, the collision would likely have been less deadly,” Silva stated.
Lisbon’s iconic trams, many of which date back to the mid-20th century, share similar aging structures, prompting experts to call for urgent modernization.
The Glória line has seen passenger numbers triple in the last decade, reaching more than 3 million riders annually. Union leader Manuel Leal revealed that workers had long complained of brake issues linked to cable tension, though investigations are ongoing.
The municipal transport company Carris insisted that all maintenance protocols had been followed, but experts now warn that more frequent inspections are crucial given the heavy usage.
Beyond transport, the tragedy has also reignited concerns over Lisbon’s seismic vulnerability. Many historic downtown buildings, originally reinforced after the 1755 Great Earthquake, have been altered during renovations in ways that may undermine their anti-seismic resistance.
