Lisbon’s Gloria funicular tragedy: Raw visuals of wreckage and loss jolt internet

Visuals shared on social media show the yellow funicular car lying on its side amid debris with its roof cracked open. The accidents claimed 15 lives.

Published on: Sep 4, 2025, 04:20:09 IST

By Trisha Sengupta

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Lisbon’s Gloria funicular railway car derailed and crashed, claiming at least 15 lives and leaving over 18 injured. The National Institute for Medical Emergencies said in a statement that a child is among those injured.

The pic shows wreckage from the Gloria funicular tragedy in Lisbon. (Reuters, AFP)

Scary visuals from the site have surfaced on social media, showing the tram-like funicular completely destroyed. Some videos show people being pulled out of the wreckage.

Also Read: Lisbon Funicular crash: What caused the scary accident? First details come in

One of the videos shows the aftermath of the crash, which left the iconic mode of transportation, popular among tourists, in pieces. As the video progresses, people are seen standing around the debris with shocked reactions.

What caused the accident?

Though officials have not released a report about the cause of the accident, Portuguese newspaper Observador reported that a loose cable caused it. The outlet said the car lost control due to the loose cable and collided with a nearby building.

Who was on board?

It is unknown how many people were on board the Gloria funicular, which can usually carry up to 43 passengers, reported the BBC. Among the 18 injured, five people are in critical condition. The rest, including the child, have sustained minor injuries. Among those killed, some were of foreign nationalities.

Portugal PM reacts:

“A tragic accident involving the Gloria funicular caused the irreparable loss of human life, which has brought grief to their families and dismay to the country,” Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said in a statement.

Also Read: At least 15 killed in crash on Lisbon's historic cable car railway in Portugal

Italian PM expresses sorrow:

The incident prompted a tweet from Giorgia Meloni. The Italian PM’s translated X post reads, “I have learned with deep sorrow of the tragic derailment of the Elevador da Glória in Lisbon. I wish to express, on behalf of the Italian Government and myself, heartfelt condolences and solidarity with Portugal, the families of the victims, and those injured in the incident.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Trisha Sengupta
Trisha Sengupta works as Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of experience in the digital newsroom. Known for her ability to decode the internet’s most talked-about moments, she specialises in high-engagement storytelling that bridges the gap between viral trends and traditional journalism. Throughout her tenure, Trisha has focused on the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. She frequently covers personal finance and real estate struggles in hubs like Gurgaon, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, while also documenting the unique challenges of the NRI experience. Her work often highlights the movements and philosophies of global newsmakers and personalities like Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani, Nikhil Kamath, Dubai crown prince, and MrBeast. From reporting on Amazon or Meta layoffs and startup culture to the emergence of AI-driven platforms like Grok and xAI, she provides a grounded and empathetic perspective on the stories shaping our world. When not decoding the internet, Trisha is likely offline: lost in a book, exploring a historical ruin, or navigating the world as a solo traveler. She balances her fast-paced career with family time and a healthy dose of curiosity, currently trading her "human" sources for silicon ones as she masters AI to future-proof her storytelling.Read More

Discover the latest Trending News, viral videos, social media stories and unusual events from India and around the world. Stay updated with the topics everyone is talking about.