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The Glória funicular, a beloved feature of Lisbon’s public transport system, has operated since 1885.
Emergency response teams, including police, firefighters, and paramedics, rushed to the scene (File Photo/AFP)
A tragic cable car incident in Lisbon on Wednesday has left at least three people dead and around 20 others injured, according to emergency services. The accident involved the iconic Glória funicular, a historic tram-like vehicle that transports passengers up and down one of the Portuguese capital’s steepest hills, reported AFP.
The derailment occurred at approximately 6:05 pm local time, when the funicular reportedly came off its tracks after a cable came loose. Eyewitness footage circulating online shows the severely damaged vehicle, with emergency personnel working urgently to pull victims from the wreckage.
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Authorities have yet to confirm the exact cause of the crash, though early reports suggest that a snapped cable may have led to the funicular’s plunge. One of the two cars is said to have “fallen from a great height,” according to local media.
Emergency response teams, including police, firefighters, and paramedics, rushed to the scene. Civil protection officials confirmed that 62 rescue workers and 22 emergency vehicles were deployed as part of the response effort. According to the BBC, there were 43 people on board when the funicular derailed.
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed his condolences in an official statement. “The President of the Republic deeply regrets the accident that occurred this afternoon with the Gloria funicular railway in Lisbon, particularly the fatalities and serious injuries, as well as the various minor injuries.”
The Glória funicular, a beloved feature of Lisbon’s public transport system, has operated since 1885. It connects Praça dos Restauradores with the vibrant Bairro Alto district, a popular area known for its nightlife, restaurants, and scenic views. While it is a major tourist attraction, it is also regularly used by locals as part of their daily commute.
Capable of carrying more than 40 passengers at a time, both seated and standing, the funicular is one of only three of its kind still operating in Lisbon. A formal investigation is now underway to determine the cause of the deadly derailment.
- Location :
Lisbon, Portugal
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