What Happened?

The accident occurred on Wednesday,September 4,2025,on the Glória funicular in Lisbon, Portugal. A cable connecting the two wagons of the funicular failed at its fixing point within the cabin that derailed. This led to a runaway descent,despite the activation of both pneumatic and manual brakes.

According to a statement released by the Prevention and Research Cabinet of Aircraft and Rail Accidents (Gpiaaf) on Saturday, September 6, 2025, the braking system itself functioned as designed. However, the Gpiaaf noted that the brakes, in their current configuration, lacked the capacity to stop the cabin’s momentum once the cable had failed.

Investigation Details

The Gpiaaf is conducting a preliminary investigation and will present its initial report within 45 days. This investigation is running concurrently with a criminal investigation led by the Prosecutor’s Office. Additionally, Carris, the operator of the funicular, is undertaking an internal audit with the assistance of external advisors.

A key issue highlighted by the Gpiaaf is the lack of readily available facts regarding the funicular’s legal framework and the public entity responsible for overseeing its operation and safety. This lack of clarity is complicating the investigation process.

Casualties and Response

The accident resulted in the deaths of 16 people and injuries to 23 others, as reported by RTVE (Spanish Radio and Television). Emergency services responded to the scene and transported the injured to local hospitals.