Wednesday, going down the street, the funicular nicknamed the Elevador Da Gloria crushed against a building. Following this drama, 17 people were killed and 21 others injured. But what happened?
The famous funicular Elevador da Gloria crushed suddenly on Wednesday, due to the detachment of a cable. The Portuguese government has declared a day of national mourning in tribute to the victims.
A tragedy aboard the Elevador da Gloria
When he had almost finished his journey, this famous funicular crashed against a wallbecause of a cable that would have detached itself from the machine, destroying almost entirely Elevado da Gloria. Following this drama, the Portuguese government decreed one day of national mourning and the town hall of Lisbon requested 3 days of municipal mourning and put all the funicularies to stop. Sixty members of emergency services and 22 vehicles went to the scene to help passengers on the funicular. Among the foreign victims, there are in particular a Frenchwoman and two Spaniards who were injured and a German who died.
Furthermore, The deputy spokesman for the Quai d’Orsay said this morning: “The Portuguese authorities have already informed us that one of our compatriots was among the injuries of the accident. Our consul general goes to his bedside and remains in permanent contact with the Portuguese authorities in case other nationals are concerned ”. The magnitude of the shock was impressive, as reported to the Portuguese channel sic a woman, witness to the scene who declares to have seen the funicular descend “At full speed” On the slope where he usually circulates.
Higher Quality Footage of the Derailment of Lisbon’s Iconic Gloria Funicular, also Known as the Elevador da Glória. https://t.co/xcuyevx5cf pic.twitter.com/ykueubs7vf
– Az Intel (@Az_intel_) September 3, 2025
Another confides: “We just had time to escape (…) I looked back and I saw the impact in the turn; He hit the building very violently ”. Following this terrible accident, the Office of the Prosecutor General of the Republic (PGR) opened an investigation “as is the case in this type of situations, and as required by the law” he affirms.
An emblematic funicular of Lisbon
Nestled in the heart of the alleys of Lisbon, this famous funicular nicknamed Elevador da Gloria was built by a Portuguese engineer named Raoul Mesnier of the Ponsard and was Opened in 1885. Gloria’s elevador connects The Place des Restauceurs with The Rua Sao Pedro of Alcantara in the very lively district of BAIRRO ALTO. This funicular allows you to The Alcantara Sao Pedro Belvedere Where visitors can enjoy a beautiful view of Lisbon. This famous funicular operates by counterweight, between the rising elevator and the descending wagon, which are connected by an underground cable allowing them to circulate on two railways. The Elevador Da Gloria is one of the 3 funiculars in the city with Elevador da Lavra and Ascensor da Bica. But the funicular of the Elevador Da Gloria is most frequented with 3 million annual passengers. In addition, this funicular is borrowed a lot by visitors because it allows you to reach the most interesting points of the city, such as the Bairro Alto, the most lively district of the city.
