Lisbon's iconic Gloria cable car, which is very popular with tourists, derailed and crashed, killing at least 15 people and injuring 18 others.
The cable car connects the Restauradores and Príncipe Real districts of Lisbon and is popular with tourists. According to reports, five of the injured are in serious condition while 13 people, including a 3-year-old child, have been slightly injured. Seven of the injured were taken to Sao Jose Hospital while two others were taken to Santa Maria.
Information from local media reports that two cable car carriages were found, for unknown reasons, on the same course, collided and fell from a great height.
According to the Civil Protection website, 56 people are at the scene, supported by 22 vehicles.
Carris: Maintenance protocols are meticulously followed
The Carris company, which manages the "Elevador da Glória", confirmed in a statement that "all maintenance protocols were carried out and adhered to, namely the general maintenance, which is carried out every four years. The intermediate maintenance, which is carried out every two years, was carried out as normal in 2022 and 2024."
The management company also stated that “monthly and weekly maintenance schedules and daily inspections have been meticulously followed” and added that “an investigation was immediately launched, together with the authorities, to determine the real causes of this accident.”
Accident investigation
The Air and Rail Accident Prevention and Investigation Bureau (GPIAAF) announced that it would launch an investigation into the crash. “The GPIAAF will launch an investigation, but due to limited resources in the railway sector, it will only be tomorrow morning that evidence collection from the accident site will begin.”
The cable car, with a capacity of up to 42 people, is one of the symbols of Lisbon and attracts many tourists visiting the city.
"This is a tragic moment for our city"
Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas spoke to reporters at the scene of the accident, saying that “it is a very difficult day for all of us.” He expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and added: “Lisbon is mourning, it is a tragic moment for our city.”
Moedas praised the response of the firefighters, who received "the alert at 18:08 and arrived here (at the scene of the accident) at 18:11." "Unfortunately, it's very serious. It's an accident that shouldn't have happened," he noted.
In a statement, the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, expressed his deep sadness over the accident and expressed "his sympathy for the families affected by this tragedy."
Also, the government and the Prime Minister, through a statement sent to the media offices, expressed their "deep sadness for the accident that occurred this afternoon on the Gloria cable car, in Lisbon, and expressed their deep emotion and solidarity with the victims and their families."
"The government has been monitoring the situation and the response of the various public emergency medical authorities, health units, civil protection, security forces and transport from the very beginning, which have been instructed to provide all necessary support. The government is also in constant contact and close cooperation with the Municipal Council," the statement said.
Condolences from Ursula von der Leyen
In X, in Portuguese, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, expressed her sadness at the accident. "I learned with regret about the derailment of the famous 'Elevador da Glória'. My condolences to the families of the victims."
Source: protothema.gr
