Portugal Declares National Day of Mourning After Lisbon Funicular Crash Claims 17 Lives

Portugal is observing a national day of mourning following a devastating accident in Lisbon, where the historic Elevador da Glória funicular derailed, resulting in at least 17 fatalities and 21 injuries. The incident occurred on the evening of September 3, 2025, when the funicular lost control and collided with a building near Avenida da Liberdade during rush hour. Among the deceased are foreign nationals, including individuals from Germany, Spain, Canada, and Morocco .

The Elevador da Glória, operational since 1885, is a popular tourist attraction in Lisbon, connecting the Baixa district to the Bairro Alto neighborhood. The funicular is classified as a national monument and typically carries around 3 million passengers annually .

Authorities have initiated an investigation into the cause of the derailment, with early reports suggesting that a loose cable may have contributed to the incident . In response to the tragedy, Lisbon's city council has suspended operations of all other funiculars for safety inspections .

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Prime Minister Luís Montenegro have expressed their condolences to the victims' families. The Pope also sent messages of sympathy and blessings to the victims, their families, and the rescue teams . The national day of mourning is observed on September 4, with flags flown at half-mast across the country .

This tragic event has shocked Portugal and the international community, highlighting concerns over the safety of public transportation systems, especially those serving as major tourist attractions.