Three people have died, at least 20 people have been injured and several others are thought to be trapped after Lisbon[1]‘s famous Gloria Funicular train[2] derailed.
Police[3], paramedics and firefighters raced to the scene in a bid to rescue passengers after one of the two cars permanently attached to opposite ends of a haulage cable fell “from a great height”.
Footage shows scenes of panic, with bystanders crowding around one of the cars with smoke coming from it. Behind it a twisted mangle of metal can be seen, where another car or part of the same structure has come off the rail and broken into several parts.
More than 60 emergency service workers at the scene
62 emergency service workers and 22 vehicles are at the scene, according to Portugal’s civil protection website.
Crash site shrouded in smoke
The imapct of the crash in Lisbon this evening has left a city centre street covered in smoke. Dozens of people were seen crowding around the torn up funicular, while others fled the area on foot.
SOLARPIX.COM)
Lisbon mayor visits the scene
Lisbon mayor Carlos Moedas has visited the scene of the funicular crash which happened near the Avenida da Liberdade at around 6pm local time.
Portugal’s PSP police force has confirmed three people have been killed and around 20 people have been injured. The nationalities of the victims have not yet been released.
Video captures smoke and chaos as onlookers rush in
BREAKING:LISBON FUNICULAR CRASH KILLS AT LEAST 3, INJURES AROUND 20
The iconic Elevador da Glória funicular in central Lisbon derailed, killing at least three people and injuring about 20 others. Emergency crews are responding, and authorities are investigating the cause. pic.twitter.com/wQYbOPJVbp[4]
— The_Independent (@TheIndeWire) September 3, 2025[5]
‘Loose cable’ sent carriage hurtling into nearbly building
According to Portuguese newspaper Observador, a cable came loose along the railway’s route, causing a carriage to lose control and smash into a nearby building.
SOLARPIX.COM)
Portugal’s President offers condolences
Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said: “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 President of the Republic offers his condolences and solidarity to the families affected by this tragedy and hopes that the incident will be quickly clarified by the competent authorities.”
Police confirm three dead and around 20 injured
Potuguese police have confirmed that three people have died and around 20 people have been injured in this evening’s crash.
Civil Protection director Margarida Castro Martins said earlier two of the casualties had been critically injured. It was not immediately clear if they had subsequently died and were among the three fatalities.
Shocking image shows funicular carriage torn to pieces
The horror derailement occurred earlier today. Police confirmed three people have tragically died.
CNN)
Funicular crashed with ‘tremendous force’ after ‘cable came loose’
The crash happened at 6.05pm local time after one of the cables reportedly came loose.
Witness Teresa d’Avo told Portuguese TV channel SIC: “It crashed into a building with brutal force and fell apart like a cardboard box. It crashed with tremendous force. It didn’t have any kind of brakes.”
Three people killed, local news reports
Three people have died in the Lisbon funicular tragedy according to police sources quoted by Portuguese press.
The casualty figure has not yet been officially confirmed. At least 20 people are said to injured, and others trapped in the wreckage of the funicular.
Where did the incident happen?
The incident happened near the Avenida da Liberdade at the Gloria Funicular railway line – which is one of three of its kind in Lisbon and is well used by tourists.
It connects the lower part of Lisbon to its Bairro Alto, more specifically Praça dos Restauradores to the Sao Pedro de Alcantara viewpoint. It was opened in 1885 as the second of its kind in the city. Although it was only electrified in 1915, it still retains its original characteristics.
References
- ^ Lisbon (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ train (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Police (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ pic.twitter.com/wQYbOPJVbp (t.co)
- ^ September 3, 2025 (twitter.com)