German Boy, 3, Pulled Alive From Funicular Crash in Lisbon; DFA Says No Filipinos In Crash
LISBON, Portugal—The Portuguese capital is reeling from the tragic crash of a funicular, which resulted in the deaths of 16 people and injured over 20 others. The cause of the accident is still under investigation, but it has prompted a city-wide shutdown of all funiculars for inspection.
A City in Mourning
A sense of disbelief and sorrow hangs over the city of Lisbon following the funicular crash. Onlookers at the site of the mangled wreckage expressed shock, with many calling for a thorough investigation to ensure public safety. A service held at the Church of St Dominic honored the victims, bringing together Portugal's political elite and a grieving public.
The tragedy hit home for many locals, including a resident who told BBC News she was "still processing" the event, and a man who was on another funicular at the time of the crash who swore never to ride one again. The accident also served as a stark reminder of life's unpredictability for two tourists from Singapore who "changed [their] plans at the last minute." "It's scary… Who knows, we might have been on this one," one of them said. "It changes your perspective on life. You just don't expect something like this to happen."
A Community of Victims
The victims of the crash included people from various nationalities. Police have identified the deceased as nationals of Portugal, South Korea, Switzerland, Canada, Germany, and Ukraine. Among the dead were four workers from the charity Santa Casa da Misericórdia, who regularly used the funicular for their commute, and the funicular's brake guard, André Jorge Gonçalves Marques. One employee, Valdemar Bastos, told BBC News that he "always felt safe" and "never thought this could happen."
A glimmer of hope emerged from the tragedy with the rescue of a three-year-old German boy who survived the crash. He was pulled from the carriage where his father is believed to have died and his mother was injured.
The Philippine Embassy in Lisbon, meanwhile, said there are no Filipinos reported affected by the funicular crash but continues to monitor the developments.
Photo courtesy: Treinador Nuno Carvalho Facebook
The Aftermath and Investigation
The public transport operator, Carris, has launched an independent investigation to determine the cause of the crash. The company's head, Pedro Gonçalo de Brito Aleixo Bogas, stated that all of Lisbon's funiculars would be closed for technical inspections. He also confirmed that the Gloria line, where the accident occurred, would reopen with a new carriage once it's deemed safe. Bogas mentioned that while the company has increased its spending on funicular maintenance, the costs have more than doubled over the past decade.
Eyewitness accounts painted a harrowing picture of the crash. Tour guide Mariana Figueiredo, who rushed to the scene after hearing a loud crash, described seeing people jumping from the funicular windows. "In five seconds I was there," she said. "People started to jump from the windows inside the funicular at the bottom of the hill."
The wreckage showed the crumpled yellow carriage overturned on the cobblestone street, with smoke filling the air. Emergency responders had to free several passengers who were trapped inside.
Funiculars are an integral part of Lisbon's transport system, helping residents and tourists navigate the city's steep, cobbled streets. The Glória funicular, which opened in 1885, is a popular tourist attraction. Its two carriages are connected by a haulage cable, with the descending carriage's weight helping to lift the ascending one. The intact second carriage was found just meters from the wreckage at the bottom of the hill.
Pope Leo XIV extended his “heartfelt condolences” and “spiritual closeness” to the bereaved families of the funicular crash victims while praying for the complete recovery of the injured and expressing "special gratitude to those who took part in the rescue operations."
